Armando Adrian-Lopez was born in 1965 in the town of Santa Maria in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. His work reflects the mysticism and mythologies of his native land and bridges Catholic imagery and beliefs and Native traditions (before the European colonization of Mexico) within a contemporary context.

In 1982, he sought a formal education in visual arts at the Instituto Michoacano De Culture (Casa De Cultura) in Morelia. Unfortunately, he could not afford the required materials for art classes. So, Armando auditioned for the theatre arts program and was accepted. During the four years Lopez attended the institute, he used his body to express his creativity. His performances include Mexican works—Oscar Liera, Marusha Vialta, Salvador Novo, etc.—and European works—Chekov, Moliere, Shakespeare, etc. He performed classical theater while touring in a state-sponsored troop.

After graduation, Armando's primary focus continued in the visual arts. In 1987 he traveled to Mexico DF and applied to a prestigious visual arts university where there was admiration for his artwork, but not for his Native Tarascan cultural background. His hometown had served as a shield from systemic discrimination in his country of origin. However, blindsided and disheartened by this experience, he left Mexico for the United States. He worked as a farm laborer, picking cherries in Idaho. This gave him time to regroup before he relocated to Los Angeles and returned to making visual art.

Armando began making art at an early age, having learned traditional basket weaving from his grandfather. Though his sculptures are an outgrowth of Native folkways, the utilitarian form gave way to fantastic, non-utilitarian shapes during childhood, pushing him toward his future as an artist. Painting followed sculpting to translate visual imaginings that did not lend themselves to sculpture into two-dimensional works. It is not common to find an equally adept artist in painting and 3-D media; he is gifted in both. Armando also has done performances and has made videos of his writing and poetry.

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