Self-Portrait Guillermo Wagner Granizo
Facing three rectangular columns or “stelae” in Civics Park, the artist’s Self Portrait, installed in 2016 by his family, whispers encouragement to listen to the stories of Pleasanton’s 4,000 years of history. Guillermo Wagner Granizo (1923-1995) is one of the world’s premier ceramic tile muralists who wove bright colors, geometric shapes, heavy lines, and varying textures into a vibrant display. The murals at 100 Main Street depict four perspectives of Pleasanton’s heritage, including early indigenous Ohlone culture, agriculture, railroads, and commerce.
Born in San Francisco, Granizo was raised in Nicaragua and Guatemala, where he absorbed the influences of pre-Columbian primitive art, probably from his Ecuadorean mother. His father, Guillermo Wagner, was a German-born pianist, music teacher, and composer who moved to Ecuador. Both of his heritages likely contributed to the complexity of his artistic vision and his quest as a visual storyteller.
Drafted into World War II and serving in the Army, he was severely injured during the June 1944 Normandy Invasion (D-Day) at Utah Beach in France. He was pronounced dead three times, yet survived. He spent four years in a San Francisco military hospital undergoing numerous surgeries. As part of his recovery from multiple gunshots and a severe left leg injury, his four-year rehab included several hours a day in class at the San Francisco College of Art. His suffering deeply influenced him. It shaped his resilience and future career in the arts.
Later, “Bill” Wagner was appointed Art Director for KRON-TV in San Francisco, leading to his 15-year career as an art producer, including educational films. In 1962, he completed eight large mosaic murals for the San Francisco Academy of Sciences and the Steinhart Aquarium.
By 1973, he was a devoted ceramic muralist and received extensive commissions for the next 22 years including the 1975 four ceramic paintings at the S.F. International Airport. A prolific artist, his works are on public display in San Francisco, Benicia, Hillsborough, Napa, Pleasanton, Vacaville, and Los Angeles. Additional works are displayed in Alaska, New Mexico, Philadelphia, Utah, Australia, Europe, Mexico, Guatemala, Portugal, Japan, and Nicaragua.
Granizo was struggling with cancer during the last two years of his life. The commission for the Pleasanton Centennial was in 1994. He worked thoughout 1994- 1995 designing and firing the tiles. As his energy waned, he came daily to Pleasanton to supervise and direct the installation. He died 10 days after the dedication of the stelae. Upon Granizo’s death, his family inherited his art collection and donated Self Portrait, the only self-portrait of the artist. To learn more about Guillermo Wagner Granizo, visit www.granizoart.com, and select autobiographical murals on the top bar. Also read the public art writing on the Pleasanton Centennial.
Jan Coleman-Knight