February 29, 2020

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TAPEstry Art – Gerardo Saenz, a San Antonio-based artist, transforms discarded cassette tapes into vibrant fine art canvases, blending nostalgia and innovation through his signature TAPEstry Art. Read more below gallery

Gerardo Saenz, a McAllen native now based in San Antonio, redefines mixed media with his TAPEstry Art, creating fine art pieces from recycled cassette tapes that resonate with nostalgia and creativity. His vibrant abstracts, cityscapes, and signature “popart popsicles”—cassettes painted with bold, swirling colors on popsicle sticks—capture the essence of ’80s music and memories. Leaning into his fine art roots for the First Saturday Arts Market, Saenz’s evolving work continues to captivate, with pieces displayed in homes and offices worldwide, from Texas to Dubai.

His art, celebrated for its environmental consciousness and emotional depth, has earned praise from figures like Cheech Marin and a devoted following at markets and galleries. Born in McAllen, Texas, in 1970, Saenz began drawing sunsets as a child and earned an art degree from the Art Institute of Houston in 1990. His signature style emerged when he accidentally painted on cassettes, sparking a creative fusion of music and visual art.

A 2017 viral social media post by his daughter about a poorly attended exhibit skyrocketed his visibility, leading to rapid sales and global recognition. Using construction adhesive to mount cassettes onto canvases, Saenz creates everything from small pieces to larger tape grids, preserving rare recordings while painting over common ones.
Despite health challenges, including a heart condition, he sees his art as a calling, connecting generations through nostalgia and creativity. As he prepares new pieces for galleries and markets, Saenz continues to captivate as the “cassette guy,” blending memory and innovation in every vibrant creation.