José Cacho was born in Mexico City. His works combine modern, historical, and allegorical figures with the symbolism and Art Nouveau-esque style characteristic of Gustav Klimt.
His pieces boast a wide variety of materials, among them acrylic paint and medium, inks, pigments, charcoal, pastels, graphite, layers of gold, silver, and bronze foil, stencils, paper, collage alcoholic transfer and oxide powder. Different mediums including canvas, wood panel, acrylic sheets, mirror, metal, and paper assist Cacho in achieving textures and depth to his work which would be limited by one medium alone. His fascination with patterns recalls the works of Anni Albers, who similarly made use of unconventional media.
Reimagining figures from the works of Velázquez, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and da Vinci, Cacho sets each subject among colourful mosaic patterns- a collage of symbols and meanings. Inspired by the technique of Klimt, his work explores the integration of the human mind; thoughts and emotions which create our surrounding reality just as the colours and shapes create a reality for each figure depicted. The areas void of pattern or bright colour give the viewer a moment for reflection, reminding us of the tranquility necessary for balance in life.
Cacho’s work is playful in its juxtaposition of unexpected subjects and settings, placing Marilyn Monroe as a Marian religious icon and positioning Ghandi amongst bright colours and animals.