Photography courtesy Aerosol Warfare
LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON
Street Art Changing Houston One Wall at a time By Gabi De la Rosa
Houston has a little bit of everything: fine dining and casual eateries, high-end shopping and flea markets, open green spaces and a 10lane freeway. But many don’t realize that, in addition to galleries and museums, street art is a burgeoning way for artists to express themselves in the fourth largest city in the country. What was once considered vandalism has grown to an accepted art form, and something that makes the visual landscape of the city unique. Leading the charge, and arguably one of the best-known street artists in Houston, is Mario Figueroa Jr., known as Gonzo247, a native Houstonian who has not only become an accomplished artist, but also a cultural ambassador for the city. “There has always been a negative connotation with graffiti; and people always assumed I was either affiliated with gangs or up to no-good, but neither was true,” said Gonzo247. “I believe there was a turning point in 2013 when Houston First commissioned the first large-scale street art installation in downtown." He created the “Houston is Inspired” mural which has become a landmark. "I never expected people to actually go and visit, or even take pictures, but they did. That was a turning point, not only for me, but also for the city of Houston and street art.” Street art superstars travel from all over the world to turn the walls and buildings in Houston into canvases. What used to be created under the cover of night or on old dilapidated buildings has become something to be celebrated.
Above photo: GONZO247 is leading the charge for Houston murals. His iconic “Houston is Inspired” is on Travis Street in downtown Houston.
art in the city. Street art superstar Hilton Alves came to downtown Houston (Commerce Street) from Brazil to create his 13th of 101 perfect waves all over the world as part of his goal to bring greater awareness to street art, oceans and environmental preservation. “I’ve lived here all my life and I have never seen this much street art in Houston,” said Gonzo247. “You can travel from one end of the city to the other and you will see art everywhere.” The Graffiti and Street Art Museum of Texas, the country’s first museum dedicated to street art, is a great place to both see street art and also learn about its history. Downtown, the East End, EADO and Northside areas, Houston Heights neighborhood, St. Arnold’s Brewery, Canal Street, Talento Bilingue Houston Building, Leeland Graffiti Park, Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark, and Sawyer Yards are great places to start; but if you pay close attention - you will see art everywhere. THE GRAFFITI AND STREET ART MUSEUM OF TEXAS 2110 JEFFERSON | STE 111 | HOUSTON THEGASAMTEXAS.ORG
ROYAL, (a Houstonian), brothers ICY and SOT from Iran, and Texas muralist Wiley are just some of the notable artists who have created
The Houston Urban Experience (HUE) Festival, October 14-21, is a weeklong celebration of street art in Houston. Gonzo247 founded the festival in 2015 and both local and international street artists flock to Houston to be part of the festivities. Guided and self-guided tours are available and festivalgoers are encouraged to experience art as it is being created. HueFest is free and open to the public.
12 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall/Holiday 2017
HUE Mural Festival wall "Dance even when you are stopped" by Brazilian artist Studio FLOP is on Navigation Blvd. in Houston’s East End.