Today we’d like to introduce you to José Chavero Rivera.
José, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Growing up I manifested affection for design; regularly, I would think of ways to create an alluring space. Without regarding my talent for art, I entered college pursuing a medical track. And then suddenly a couple of years into my studies, an immense realization and fervor for art arose—I had uncovered the adoration for Design I concealed within as a child. Since then it has been clear that I was born to create.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Growing up along the Texas/Mexico border, I witnessed the physical and psychological effects that toxic masculinity (machismo) had on women and gay men. I also saw how Mexican and Mexican-American heteronormative gender roles affected same-sex relationships. Furthermore, I observed how minorities—specifically Latinos, African Americans, and gays—were shamed based on their minority statuses.
Influenced by Herbert Matter, Robert Mapplethorpe, Rafael Montañez Ortiz, Suzanne Lacy, David Carson, Stefan Sagmeister, and Shepard Fairey, my work is a hybrid of Mid-20th Century, Postmodern, and Contemporary Design. My practice relies heavily on mixing photography, typography, illustration, lettering, and painting and honors critical thinking, process, and collaboration.
I use design to examine healthcare, machismo, feminism, and LGBTQ+ issues. Based on my research of other oppressed groups and my own experiences as a minority, my work is personal. It is chaotic. It is even aggressive. But it is also hopeful.
The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
It is common for artists to start a creative path doing pro bono work. It is even more common for artists not to bill their clients while doing so. Though free of charge, bill your clients so you can establish a monetary value on your work and, in turn, your clients can read how much your work is worth. This simple exercise can help you go from pro bono to pay sooner.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can see my work on my online portfolio: jichrivera.myportfolio.com.
Contact Info:
- Address: Houston, TX
- Website: jichrivera.myportfolio.com
- Phone: 18329911161
- Email: jichrivera@icloud.com
Image Credit:
Marcel Merwin, Lisa Marie Serna, Derek Witucki
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