January 13, 2019
"URBAN RYTHM HOUSTON TEXAS"
by Gonzo247
Born to Texas farm workers with Mexican ancestors, Leopoldo Tanguma was inspired by the Chicano civil rights movement—El Movimiento—sweeping the nation in the ‘60s and ‘70s and in 1973 painted his most iconic work, the 240-ft "Rebirth of Our Nationality" in Houston's East End. Growing up nearby a young Mario Enrique Figueroa, aka Gonzo247, was mesmerized by the work and inspired to legitimize graffiti and to use art "to create, inspire, and uplift." Gonzo went on to found @AerosolWarfare as a safe space for graffiti artists to exhibit their work and in 2018 was recognized by the city for his work promoting the beauty of Latino culture. Gonzo believes Houston is under-appreciated and in 2014 he worked with @RedBull to create this work on Chartres St on the side of the Houston Graffiti Building. @gonzo247/
