A place to unite: Disaster artist creates memorial along Guadalupe

Wooden crosses of all sizes have been assembled along the river on Guadalupe Street as a memorial to the victims of the catastrophic flood that hit Kerr County in the early morning hours of July 4.

The work is by Dallas-based artist Roberto Marquez. Marquez has made a name for himself as a “painter of tragedies,” traveling from location to location, each previously hit by a community-wide disaster.

“Art is something beneficial,” Marquez said. “It helps unite people. It has connected me to so many people and has taken me to many places.”

From Guadalajara, Mexico, Marquez relocated to the U.S., where he found work in construction and real estate. By 2018, he saw himself as financially secure enough to retire early and pursue his art.

“I’ve been doing this for about seven years, but I cannot tell you exactly what my first disaster was,” he said. “There have been many.”

Marquez said he saw a void in artistic response during tragedies.

He began creating his memorials to help foster unity in places struck by disaster such as Mexico, Turkey, Ukraine, San Antonio, Uvalde, Dallas, Los Angeles and Washington. D.C.

“I start with the crosses, because I want to represent the emotional first, and that connects us to the spiritual,” Marquez said. “In case anyone wants to pray.”

Marquez said he will continue adding crosses to the memorial as the death toll rises, and he has a spot reserved to memorialize the campers from Camp Mystic lost in the flood.

“A volunteer has been bringing me wood from Camp Mystic,” he said. “I need it to dry out a little bit before I can start making the crosses.”

Marquez is also asking for the community’s help. Photos of victims are still needed to adorn the crosses, and he is also asking for candles for a vigil that will be scheduled later in the week.

The artist will also continue painting throughout the week. Marquez’s work incorporates plywood panels covered in stretched canvas. He paints narrative murals in styles inspired by Cubism, street art and the Mexican muralist tradition.

He will have work for sale in a tent stationed next to Guadalupe Park, 700 Guadalupe St. Proceeds from the art sales will benefit Los Topos de Tlatelolco. The group is better known as “Los Topos,” which translates to “the moles,” because members aid in search and rescue efforts after disasters.

According to KUT News Austin, Los Topos had at least 20 volunteers ready to head to the U.S. to help look for victims along the stretch of the Guadalupe River. However, only five Topos made it to Texas, and the rest were left waiting for visas or humanitarian permits to enter the U.S.

What happens to Marquez’s art installations is often decided by the impacted community. Sometimes it stays in the location it was created in, or it is relocated to other community spaces.

“It’s my gift to them,” he said.

This article was originally published in the July 15, 2025 edition of the Kerrville Daily Times.