Lowrider Excellence: The Leal Brothers

On Saturday, September 7th, from 5-8PM, Five Points Museum of Contemporary Art will host the opening of a new exhibition by Corpus Christi Lowrider artists, the Leal Brothers. Lowrider Excellence: The Leal Brothers will feature national award-winning cars that have been painted, sculpted and fully remade.

“Baby Boy” by the Leal Brothers. Photo by Irvin Tepper.

The Lowrider as an art form has evolved since the mid-20th century. While its roots can be traced back to post-WWII Los Angeles, the art and cultural phenomenon of lowriders has spread throughout the United States and beyond. Cementing their place as masters of this form, the Leal Brothers and their obsessively detailed automobiles are multiple-year winners in premier national competitions, including the Lowrider Tour Las Vegas Super Show. In 2018, their work dominated the show, taking both first and second place for Lowrider Car of the Year. 

The opening reception of this event will feature the music of another group of brothers. Tejano artists Los Palominos won a Best Tejano Performance Grammy for their hit song “Por Eso Te Amo,” and they have recorded many worldwide hits according to the Billboard music charts. Based in Uvalde, Texas, their fan base extends internationally. The Houston Chronicle calls the music of Los Palominos “an essential piece of the Mexican-American mosaic.” 

This exhibit is curated by Ann Harithas, the museum’s founder and executive director. 

Exhibit on view September 7 through October 20.