CH3MEX
A.K.A Jose Hernandez
 Jose Hernandez has been breaking the ice for most of his life, being the first to do many things. He brings his politically charged exhibit
"Rompiendo Hielo," which means "breaking ice," to Studio Loud, while also exhibiting many of his other works.
While Hernandez may have been the first non-white kid to attend Blessed Sacrament grade school in Jonesboro. The 24-year-old artist is originally from the high desert town of Torreon in north central Mexico. He hasn't lost his distinctive accent. Torreon is known for its connection to Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution. A vast system of tunnels built in the revolution can still be found and toured there. "No, building tunnels is not new in Mexico," he said, referring to the tunnels under the border big enough to drive a semi-truck through. Hernandez, aka CH3MEX, lives in Little Rock now.
With his art, he offers raw emotions in vivid colors and striking designs for viewers to speculate and contemplate. He specializes in
graffiti style art and murals, having held his first art show when he was 16 at Subiaco Abbey & Academy near Paris. He painted a 6-by-15 foot
work depicting Paris' history. He graduated from
Subiaco in 2001.
In 2006, Hernandez went to Staten Island, N.Y., to learn how to work with iron. He was a part of a few graffiti shows while he was were there, too. All of these past experiences greatly influence his works bold and inspirational feeling.
In early 2007 he and 11 other artists who were attending the Savannah School of Design in Georgia visited a Zappatista stronghold in
Chiapas, Mexico, they ended up being asked to do a large mural of the village's history. Zappatistas take their name from Emiliano Zapata, a proponent of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). In 1994, they declared war "against the Mexican state" and have become a part of the wider anti-globalization, anti-neoliberalism social movement, that combats such institutions as NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). All of these past experiences greatly influence his works bold and inspirational feeling.
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