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cactusBARN

@cactusbarn2023

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cactusBARN is an artist run exhibition space located @ 613 Mission Street in the King William neighborhood. By Appointment

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Reverse Cowboy has one more week to be beheld! Make an appointment or come to the closing on Friday, November 6th from 5-8pm @markanthonymartinezstudio #reversecowboy #cactusbarn #artistsrunspace #alamo #markanthonymartinez by @cactusbarn2023

Have you seen Glasstire’s review of “REVERSE COWBOY” ?

Review: Restraint & Guts: Mark Anthony Martinez’s “Reverse Cowboy” at cactusBARN, San Antonio

“Mark Anthony Martinez’s artist statement for Reverse Cowboy opens by saying that the exhibition “questions the mythos of the west.” After reading the show’s statement, speaking at length with the artist, communicating with Leigh Anne Lester and Jayne Lawrence of cactusBARN about the presentation, and engaging with the show as a whole and its component parts, it’s apparent that Reverse Cowboy has many more questions to offer.”

-ISABEL SERVANTEZ, OCTOBER 14, 2026

REVERSE COWBOY is open by appointment through November 6.
A closing reception will be held 5-8pm November 6.

More information at www.cactusbarn.org
Read the review at: https://glasstire.com/2026/10/14/review-restraint-guts-mark-anthony-martinezs-reverse-cowboy-at-cactusbarn-san-antonio/

Only @cactusbarn2023

#cactusbarn #markanthonymartinez #reversecowboy #glasstirereview by @cactusbarn2023

“RGB duck shapes” as featured on Bitti’sGAMBREL, 2026

When I was very young, I was introduced to the Nintendo Entertainment System, my very first game console.

One of the earliest gaming experiences I can recall, came in the form of the light gun activated video game; Duck Hunt.

And while it still eludes me how the television set and game console communicated; the input mechanics of a single button press, in this case, a trigger pull – was extremely easy to understand. Pull the trigger, earn points. Pulling the trigger killed the ducks on screen.

Separate from the interior, here on “Bitti’sGAMBREL”, I’m using the shape and color of the “Duck Hunt” ducks to allude to the exhibition within the cactusBarn itself.

#duckhunt #rgb #duckshapes #markanthonymartinez by @cactusbarn2023

the cactus BARN presents:
Reverse Cowboy is a solo exhibition by Mark Anthony Martinez, where the artist questions the mythos of the west. An interactive multimedia exhibition, the show draws a metaphorical line in the sand, wherein Martinez invites his audience to “shoot” a cowboy.

The artist himself, named after the fictional son of the titular television character, The Rifleman (ABC 1958-1963) – Martinez, expresses the cognitive dissonance of someone who is ostensibly “MEXICAN” but named after an unambiguously white and western protagonist.

In essence Martinez examines the assimilation process and questions if it is at all possible to reverse such a devastating force. Featuring original footage, incorporating the usage of a classic NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) Zapper – the exhibition asks the audience to consider their own relationship to the mythology of the west.

Martinez invites the audience to do unto the cowboy what has been wrought upon the “west” through settler colonial violence vis-à-vis manifest destiny and Hollywood projection.

- - -

Closing Reception: Friday, November 6, 2026, 5-8 pm

Location: cactus BARN
613 Mission Street
San Antonio, TX 78210;
On view by appointment:
September 4 - November 6, 2026

For more information visit: www.cactusbarn.org
Or DM the artist @markanthonymartinezstudio for details about the work by @cactusbarn2023

TONIGHT! Sept. 4th, 5-8pm OPENING! Mark Anthony Martinez, Reverse Cowboy &RGB duck shapes @markanthonymartinezstudio #reversecowboy #cactusbarn #artistrunspace #firstfriday #markanthonymartinez by @cactusbarn2023

OPENING RECEPTION, Friday, Sept. 4th, 5-8pm Mark Anthony Martinez @markanthonymartinezstudio “Reverse Cowboy” and on bitti’s Gambrel RGB duck shapes Don’t miss This! by @cactusbarn2023

Reverse Cowboy (currently installing)
Opening 5pm-8pm First Friday, September 4
Only @cactusbarn2023

Reverse Cowboy is a solo exhibition by Mark Anthony Martinez, where the artist questions the mythos of the west. An interactive multimedia exhibition, the show draws a metaphorical line in the sand, wherein Martinez invites his audience to “shoot” a cowboy.

The artist himself, named after the fictional son of the titular television character, The Rifleman (ABC 1958-1963) – Martinez, expresses the cognitive dissonance of someone who is ostensibly “MEXICAN” but named after an unambiguously white and western protagonist.

In essence Martinez examines the assimilation process and questions if it is at all possible to reverse such a devastating force. Featuring original footage, incorporating the usage of a classic NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) Zapper – the exhibition asks the audience to consider their own relationship to the mythology of the west.

Martinez invites the audience to do unto the cowboy what has been wrought upon the “west” through settler colonial violence vis-à-vis manifest destiny and Hollywood projection.

—

RGB duck shapes (Gambrel, exterior)

When I was very young, I was introduced to the Nintendo Entertainment System, my very first game console.

One of the earliest gaming experiences I can recall, came in the form of the light gun activated video game; Duck Hunt.

And while it still eludes me how the television set and game console communicated; the input mechanics of a single button press, in this case, a trigger pull – was extremely easy to understand. Pull the trigger, earn points. Pulling the trigger killed the ducks on screen.

Separate from the interior, here on “Bitti’sGAMBREL”, I’m using the shape and color of the “Duck Hunt” ducks to allude to the exhibition within the cactusBarn itself.

Special thanks to:
The Cactus Barn
Our cowboys
Mom & Dad
& Light gun Programmer

Made possible by viewers like you!

#cactusbarn #reversecowboy #markanthonymartinez by @cactusbarn2023

Greatness brewing in cactusBARN! Mark Anthony Martinez @markanthonymartinezstudio will be doing inside “Reverse Cowboy”and outside”RGB duck shapes”.
OPENING Reception September 4th, 5-8pm come see how this all plays out! @forevermarkanthonymartinez #reversecowboy #ducks #markanthonymartinez #cactusbarn #artistrunspace by @cactusbarn2023

Go see this amazing show @thecarversa before it ends! cactusBARN alum @blxck.rabbit and Faith Newman & Jade Lindsey @starwittle_ #cactusbarnalum #carvercommunityculturalcenter #blxckrabbit by @cactusbarn2023

If you are down for 1st Thursday or Friday walk on by to see Cathy Cunningham-Little’s “Cascading Fall” up on bitti’sGAMBREL or any time. We will return to cactusBARN exhibits in September. #cathycunninghamlittle #cactusbarn #artistrunspaces #dichroicglass #installationart by @cactusbarn2023

Join us for @jutboyd Hydrosynthesis Closing Reception Friday May 1st, 5-8pm! Rain or Shine! #hydrosynthesis #justinboyd #cactusbarn #sanantonioriver by @cactusbarn2023

Please join us! Friday, May 1st, 5-8pm for our Closing Reception of Hydrosynthesis by @jutboyd Thank you for the amazing review @nfauerso @cactusbarn2023 @ 613 Mission Street #justinboyd #cactusbarn #soundart #videoinstallation #artistrunspace by @cactusbarn2023