SERGIO HERNANDEZ: BIOGRAPHY

The collection of images on this website are the result of over thirty years of work by artist Sergio Hernandez. They reflect and document not only the social and political events that occurred during the turbulent 1960's, but also include current reflections of life and culture in the barrios of the Southwest. 

The limited availability of this type of artwork in the mainstream marketplace prompted the artist to fill this void and make his art accessible to all people who enjoy images from a different perspective. The artist draws from his life experiences as a Chicano who was born and raised in the greater Los Angeles Area.

Sergio Hernandez has the following to say about his life and work.

"I was born and raised in the southeast area of Los Angeles know as Florencia. In 1965, the Watts Riots came to Florencia in the form of a machine gun nest and soldiers of the California National Guard on the corner of my street. The soldiers filled their canteens with our garden hose while smoke billowed from fires set by rioters on Florence Ave. In the evening, Sheriff Deputies, four abreast with shotguns protruding from the windows of blacked out police cars roamed our peaceful neighborhood. The riots both scared me and awakened a curiosity about what was happening in our neighborhood and in our country. There was a great civil rights movement going on in this country and I wanted to know more about it. 

I attended East Los Angeles Junior College where I met the men that would give life to Con Safos Magazine. I worked on the magazine as an illustrator and later developed a cartoon strip called Arnie & Porfi. The Con Safos group encouraged me to continue with my education and I went to California State University Northridge (CSUN) in the San Fernando Valley. While at CSUN I met my future Wife, partner, and encouragement... Diane Velarde. As a Student at CSUN I became involved in the Chicano Student Movement and developed a social consciousness. The experience at ELA, Con Safos, and CSUN helped to define my artistic expression. 

Thirty plus years later I still comment on social and political issues with my Art.  I do political commentary with my cartoons and I paint the images of life in the Southwest. Some of the works featured on this web site are illustrations from my student movement days while others are contemporary pieces. I hope you enjoy them."

Education:
Otis Art Institute Summer arts program
East Los Angeles College
California State University Northridge - BA in Chicano Studies, Minor in Art

Born: Southeast area of Los Angeles known as Florencia. 
Now Residing: In the northern part of Los Angeles County 

Resume:
Illustrator and Cartoonist for Con Safos Magazine, Reflection of Life in the Barrio, from 1968 to 1970, and again from 1994 to 1996 when it was republished.

1970 Painted one of the first Chicano Murals at UCLA, Campbell Hall with Saul Solache, Ed Carrillo & Ramses Noriega.

1971 Painted mural at CSUN in the E.O.P. office 
Vanguard News - political cartoonist 

My painting, Ghost Dance was chosen by State Senator Richard Alarcon to hang in the member's lounge of the State Capitol in Sacramento  from May 2001 - May 2002 

Two of my works, Night Crossing and Police State are published in the NNIRR (National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights) journal, "From the Borderline to the Colorline." This publication was prepared for the UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, 2001 held in Durban, South Africa. 

Six of my political cartoons are included on the web site, EditorialCartoons.net, along with the work of other political cartoonists from throughout the world. 

My illustration of El Barrio, Love It or Leave It-Si Puedes is published in "Barrio Logos" by Prof. Raul Villa. 

Featured on the web site: AmericanLynching.com Documentary Filmmaker Gode Davis is researching for his documentary American Lynching, Strange and Bitter Fruit. 

L.A. County Museum of Art
Various commissioned works.