Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario E. Figueroa, Jr.
Mario, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a kid in 1970’s, I was always artistically inclined. I would always doodle and draw all over my homework. There is a well-known mural in East End Houston, which is where I grew up My family and I would pass by it every day on our way to church or a family member’s house. The mural is titled, “The Rebirth of our Nationality”, by artist, Leo Tanguma. That mural was the first exposure to large outdoor artwork. I was in awe of the size and ability to paint something so big. In the 1980’s, I continued through school always involved in an activity that involved being creative and with like-minded people with similar creative energy.
In the mid-to-late 1980’s I was listening to more and more hip-hop music. I was drawn to everything about the hip hop culture. I identified with the music, dance, mc, rap and graffiti, which ended up being my introduction into the art world. This was all pre-internet, so tangible items like library books, periodicals, magazines and cover art on music albums is where I got inspired. I started to catch on that the graffiti art form was being done in New York and L.A. I would literally get magazines and phone books and call up galleries in other cities that were starting to show graffiti art.
I graduated from high school in 1990. After high-school I really didn’t have a direction to go in and being here in Houston there was very little art that I could connect to. There were several activities that were happening in the evolution of graffiti long distance that I tapped into, but it just wasn’t happening in Houston. Some artists that inspired and drove me to keep going were artists like the legendary graffiti artist, FUTURA. Futura was the first graffiti artist to break away from traditional lettering. He created a whole new style of spray paint-based art and became known in the fashion and design industries. Also, artists, SEEN, CRASH, COPE2, and DONDI were big influences for me and my mission in Houston.
Don’t get me wrong we got a lot of doors closed in our faces at first, but slowly as we volunteered and showed up to local art organizations events and came out from behind the mask of graffiti – it gave us a way to unmask and educate about the art form. My obsession for learning, connecting and seeing more of the art form, that was mainly gaining traction in New York more than anywhere, was non-stop and before I knew the mission was launched and we had our first graffiti art show in Houston in 1993 at R.E.F Studios owned by Houston artist, Richard Fluhr. At the time I knew I couldn’t just pick up and leave Houston, so like second nature what do artists do best but create a place for themselves, by breaking down the boundaries around them. With the help of fellow artists, graffiti ART was introduced to Houston’s art world and art organizations.
Before I knew it, I had a hip-hop video magazine, titled “Aerosol Warfare” that then became a physical gallery, then a local brand, and partner to various local urban brands and prominent art community entities. It was a steep climb, but having faith in the art form was all I needed to put any and all fears of the outcome aside.
After the foundation was laid, the wild ride, good times, and parties were a plentiful – Many artists started getting more serious about sustaining themselves, their specific careers, creative interests and personal lives. I met my now wife, Carolyn Casey-Figueroa, and I found that my own career as an artist needed to also be taken more seriously. I continued to keep up some of the same activities that Aerosol Warfare was known for, but I also started to carve out sometime, little by little for myself as an artist. Today, after many transitions and baby steps towards GONZO247 the artist, over a period of 10 years, I now practice art every day. Art is what I have to give, what I can do, and how I can contribute in this life. Art chose me, I didn’t have to choose art.
Has it been a smooth road?
If the road is too smooth, then there are no lessons to learn. I’ve learned so much through struggle, and I continue to learn every day. The minute you stop being open to learning you’re stuck. I guess the hardest thing I have struggled with is changing bad habits. I know it seems simple, but sometimes it can the smallest little bad habit that spins thing out of control. I really work hard on making changes in those type of areas to reduce potential struggle or stress.
Please tell us about your work.
Now, I am 95% Artist GONZO247 known for my involvement and art work in the graffiti/street art/mural/public art genres. I tend to just lean toward the description multidisciplinary artist. I have been updating my new website gonzo247.com and have been going through the artwork, lists of projects and exhibits I’ve participated in and the range in art forms or experimenting in various forms of creative expression is pretty diverse looking at a snapshot of my resume. I’m glad I stuck with most my creative endeavors- there are plenty more to come. I aim to use art to inspire togetherness mores than being apart.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the use of digital tools, internet, 3-d printers and technology has already changed the graffiti art form even today. I’m actually all for utilizing tools and creative inventions, that are art in themselves, to help artists realize visions.
However, I hate to see one thing evolve as the years pass and I do feel a responsibility in the gradual loss and respect for graffiti and hip-hop traditions, and unique aspects as a culture. Traditional beliefs, the vibe, and the practice of graffiti is losing some of the positive and important cultural aspects it once knew. I hope to continue in the preservation of that history through the development of a museum for graffiti and street art, but in the meantime through education when I have the opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: gonzo247.com
- Instagram: @gonzo247
- Facebook: @GONZO247
- Twitter: @gonzo247
- Other: aerosolwarfare.com
Image Credit:
Provided by GONZO247, Taken by GONZO247 Studios
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