Customer Reviews

Leonard and Reva Brooks: Artists in Exile in San Miguel de Allende

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John Virtue has done a splendid job in researching, writing and assembling this highly readable and beautifully conceived volume--part biography, part art book, part history. In Leonard and Reva Brooks: Artists in Exile in San Miguel de Allende, he has recorded the lives of two fascinating individuals who chose to settle in this small Mexican art community in 1947 and has shed light on the Mexican and Canadian art scene of the time. In addition, he has created a moving portrait of the expatriate community and life in this unique Mexican town. (San Miguel de Allende should award him the keys to the city.)

This is a pretty good book about Leonard and Reva, and would be of interest to people that actually knew them and their somewhat unusual relationship. There were a couple of things that caught my attention, such as referring to the artist James Pinto as "Jimmy," and the mention of Reva giving Miguel de la Madrid Cordero classes in photography. In fact, Reva received a call from Los Pinos: the president's son needed a crash course and could she recommend someone. She then called Bob Somerlott at the San Miguel Writing Center, where I had built a darkroom and was giving classes. Reva simply told Bob that the son of a prominent Mexico City family wanted a week of private instruction, and if I was available. When Miguel arrived the following Monday morning he introduced himself in flawless English as Michael Lamb. A few hours later Bob went out, and when he returned he was visibly shaken. He pulled me out of the darkroom and whispered that there were two armed men in front of the house, apparently bodyguards. Not long after Miguel returned the next morning Bob slipped out and brought back some unusual information. There were two men on every corner of the block, and they looked serious. Dressed in dark suits, they carried machine guns under their coats and each wore an earphone. I must have looked concerned because when I returned to my student he asked if everything was okay. I responded affirmatively and mentioned the eight bodyguards, adding "There must be some pinche politician in town." He grinned and replied "I'm not a politician, but my father is." It was a good week although a bit strange walking around taking photographs while being shadowed by eight guys carrying machine guns.

Gives the reader great insight as to how the artsit colony in SMA came to be and the relationship between Leonard and Reva. A must read for anyone traveling to SMA or for one that has been there.