About the Artist:
Angel examines the dehumanization of people through the marketing and “spin” that we are subjected to in our everyday lives, while blurring the lines of what are acceptable societal norms. His digital images and mixed media installations capitalize on global warming, natural disasters, immigration, financial disarray, terrorism and war as money making opportunities in a commercial-centric society. In an era where the masses are looked upon as “consumers” rather than citizens, and the best way to skirt laws is to redefine them; the work uses commercialism and industrial design and places these issues in an appetizing “product” package for the masses to exploit in a disturbingly consumable and uncomfortably familiar format. This is done to not only bring about attention to the subject matter, but to begin conversation where most would rather be entertained. The engineering of this “merchandise” is not only a presentation of work but an invitation that will incorporate the viewer and make them a larger part of the work itself, thus, creating an experience that merges a passion for the arts with the social and political concerns of today.
His art work is largely rooted from his upbringing in the border city of El Paso TX, by his rocket scientist father and political activist mother. His father, a physicist/ mathematician/ electrical engineer, worked at White Sands Missile Range on the Patriot program while his mother, “a stay at home mom,” was deeply involved in the local politics, campaigned for candidates, ran for state representative and attended town and school board meetings.
Angel uses a variety of mediums and styles in his artwork, from steel fabrication to metal casting to fiberglass and woodworking. But his art is not limited to sculpture. He is also a proficient painter and illustrator and has an extensive background in graphic design. Cabrales received his BFA in sculpture from Arizona State University and his MFA in sculpture from the University of North Texas.
Angel has shown his work consistently for over ten years including shows in Santa Fe, New York, Dallas, El Paso, and Phoenix. He was the lead assistant artist for Thomas Strich with three public art pieces in Phoenix, has taught art to junior high and high school students in the Mesa School District in Arizona and is currently an adjunct professor in sculpture at the University of North Texas and Tarrant County College Southeast. Angel has a public art piece in Dallas at the L.A.R.C. inc. building and has exhibited in an international show with work by two Rotterdam architecture-design firms: Atelier Van Lieshout and MVRDV and Amsterdam arts think tank, Dadara at the Centraltrak in Dallas, TX. He has participated in the Hecho in Dallas show at the Latino Cultural Center, the Wish! Auction at the Dallas Contemporary and recently participated in a juried show at the 500X Gallery in Dallas, TX.
