Vincent Valdez was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1977. He demonstrated a propensity for art early on—before he turned 10 he was painting murals with the artist Alex Rubio. A full scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design followed, and during his senior year he held his first solo exhibition of paintings at the school. Since graduating in 2000, Valdez has made paintings, videos, drawings, and sculptures that meditate on his native Texas and on the lived experiences of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston now hosts Valdez’s first major museum survey, which includes over two decades of his work in various media. “This exhibition cements Valdez as one of the most important American painters working today,” reads the museum’s Web site, “imaging his country and its people, politics, pride, and foibles.” —Jack Sullivan