Photography permeates our culture. Amid the clutter, few have the skill to distinguish themselves, yet local artist Tony Mendoza uses his camera to share his life and soul.

Mendoza’s emphasis on humor is said to be a direct result of his childhood in Cuba.

“My work has a lot to do with humor I don’t think I’m particularly funny as a person, but being brought up in that culture, I look for things that are a little amusing,” Mendoza said. “Humor was something that was revered — if you were funny, you’re OK. If you’re not funny, that’s very bad.”

With an emphasis on family and humor from his upbringing, Mendoza focuses his work on children and animals. While most American photographers steer clear of such subjects, Mendoza has gained recognition for his art.

“Almost all of his work is witty and funny, but there is also a side of his work that has the same kind of tension in it that is almost tragic in its focus,” said Ron Green, professor in history of art and film studies.

Mendoza uses his skill to autobiographically capture difficult scenes. With some background as a former photojournalist, Mendoza traveled to Cuba to photograph the lives of his own people.

“He uses his wit in the Cuban pictures to be critical, but at the same time without seeming to condescend, not from an elevated position,” Green said.

While Mendoza captures the plight of the Cuban people in his work, he introduces the viewer to his people and their culture.

“Even there, I tried to report on what I saw when I went to Cuba. I wanted to talk about how Cubans survive. It was a curious attempt to explain a complicated thing,” Mendoza said. “One of the many ways that Cubans survive Castro’s Cuba is to make fun of everything. It’s a part of my culture in particular.”

As Mendoza gains acclaim for his ability to document people’s lives, and the seeming thoughts or reactions of animals, he never lingers in a single medium for long.

“He’s continually challenging himself to work in video or writing. He has an intellectual curiosity that doesn’t quit, and I really respect and admire it,” said Catherine Evans, curator of photography for the Columbus Museum of Art.

While Mendoza has had exhibitions in New York and Columbus, he has developed skills in other fields besides photography. Working formerly in the fields of engineering, architecture and photojournalism, the now professor at Ohio State said his strength lies in documenting lives.

“While many take good pictures, not many do good writings with pictures, and that’s what I do,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza has an exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art entitled “Tony Mendoza’s Worldview.” This exhibit incorporates his written text, photographs and a video entitled “My Father’s Lunch.” This seven-minute film was Mendoza’s first film and has yielded the most recognition and success. In every attempt since his first film, none have produced the same results.

As Mendoza bemoans that “My Father’s Lunch” has been his crowning film, he has decided to focus on other areas, and is working on a novel entitled, “A Cuban Summer.”

“It is a coming-of-age story,” Mendoza said. “Part of the reason that I thought it should still be of interest is not a lot has been written about pre-Castro Cuba. When they think of Cuba before Castro, there are a lot of misconceptions. I thought about writing about this time, as a young boy. It’s sort of a cultural anthropology. I remember it very fondly.”

As Mendoza continues to explore new fields, his audience will always maintain their favorites including “Ernie,” a book documenting his loft-mate’s cat in New York.

Through his original ability to give a fresh perspective to the ordinary, Mendoza has gained the respect of the art world.

“As a retrospective exhibition, it’s long overdue as a tribute to Tony’s contribution to the art world. People know about ‘Ernie,’ but they don’t know his range of work. They don’t know that he’s been working for decades and is continually moving on and challenging himself,” Evans said.

“Tony Mendoza’s Worldview” will host a gallery tour at the museum today from 6-8 pm. The exhibition lasts until May 4.