Coming to LA, SEN2

SEN2 - Bushwick - Brooklyn

Sandro Figueroa Garcia “Sen2”, was born in Canteras in 1969, a town in Santurce Puerto Rico. He lived here for most of his childhood and it was here that he was first introduced to art and naturally found a love for colors and artistic forms of expression. From the beginning Sen2 was introduced to graffiti and inspired through what he saw in graffiti magazines, art from artists in L.A, such as Slick & Hex, but it wasn’t until later in the mid 80s during his travels to N.Y.C. that catapulted his passions further. While in N.Y.C he started seeing many different art styles, this is what inspired him to come up with his own flow & style. Returning to Puerto Rico Sen2 began practicing “aerosol art”, the term given for graffiti and street art in Puerto Rico in the early 1980’s. Following his passion for art, commissioned work soon followed in which he performed with other artists such as Rek, Ske, Soze. Relocating to New York City in the mid 1980’s and continuing to see graffiti on the walls and trains throughout the 5 boroughs furthered his fascination to the arts and lead him deeper into the art world.

The borough of “The Bronx” is where Sen2 decided to reside and it was here that he partnered up with the legendary TATS-CRU. Growth progressed naturally and honing his skills throughout the years has brought along many opportunities to create art internationally. This undying love for the arts has allowed him to express himself artistically to other parts of world such as Europe, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain, France and Russia. Sen2’s work has been exhibited internationally and has been described as eccentric and captivating. Working primarily with acrylics, his mixed media works combine loud vivid colors and textures creating a highly unique style and energy on canvas. Traveling has opened his eyes and creating art has been and continues to be a blessing.

Multi-talented and very artistically inclined, in 1998 Sen2 started designing for clothing companies such as Tribal, FJ560, Wildstyle Technicians and Miss Sixty. Sen2 loved working with the fashion industry so much that in 2004 he decided to start his own clothing collection called Sen2 Collection, Inc 1986. His clothing still continues to be manufactured in the South Bronx with his partner Leo Marte. His mission through clothing is to pass along his unique vision of the roots and history of graffiti to the next generation through fashion and design.

Sandro “Sen2” Figueroa still continues to reside in the city that never sleeps, Bronx, NY. Here Sen2 still continues to draw inspiration from his surroundings, which happens to be one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Inspiration comes from everywhere but most importantly from his family... Lisa, Nick and Senlee.

We are very proud to be showing artwork by SEN2 for the Hello World exhibit opening on April 20, 2013 at The Service Station. #HelloWorld

SEN2

An Artist's Story by SEL

As a little boy I remember having these images in my head but I could never find them in any books or magazines so I would draw them. Dinosaurs fighting SWAT teams, spaceship race-cars , that kind of thing. I guess that's how I started drawing.

I was born and raised in West Los Angeles, California. It's a very diverse part of Los Angeles where I found myself surrounded by a wide range of cultures and scenes that have been a big influence in my work. Like a lot of kids the skateboard was often my mode of transportation but instead of learning new tricks I would have my board flipped over copying the cool graphics I found on the bottom. Being from the West Side the skate decks were usually Dog Town brandishing a Wes Humpston design. While at school instead of doing my assignments I would usually be sketching in class trading drawing techniques with the Cholos. I would teach them skulls and they would show me there lettering style.

In my early teens I got into the L.A. punk scene and would hand draw gig flyers, t-shirt and sticker designs for the local punk bands. Artists like Pushead, Shawn Kerri and RxCx (Ric Clayton) who did all of the art for the band Suicidal Tendencies where a big influence on me. I even drew a few custom Suicidal shirts for some of the local boys back in the day.

Entering high school I discovered the book Subway Art, a groundbreaking book documenting the work of New York graffiti writers. I was amazed by all the bold colors, line work and movement within the letters it had me mesmerized. Immediately I began working on my own lettering styles and characters, and eventually progressed to putting my outlines up on walls. Soon after I met other writers and went on to 
join the West Coast Artists (WCA) crew, one of the seminal graffiti crews in Los Angeles. The graffiti movement was just starting in L.A. and I had the honor of painting along side graffiti legends Rival, P-Jay, Miner, Risk, Pyro, and Wisk to name a few and have a few of my pieces in the book History of Los Angeles Graffiti.

From my early graffiti/street graphics roots I branched out into graphic design and art direction working with the music industry creating CD packaging, marketing materials and as of late designing platinum sales awards for artists Eminem, Nicki Minaj and the Foo Fighters.

Currently, I have been focusing on my personal art work using all the techniques, inspiration and lessons my life has taught me through the years. Good or bad it has all lead me this chapter in my life where I am today and I couldn't be happier.

I still see images in my head but now they are through the eyes of the grown man that learned to channel all that angst in a positive way.

SEL is an exhibiting artist in HELLO WORLD and will be presenting some very beautiful work.  Here is a little sneak peak into his creation process:

For questions regarding SEL, please email curator Luna George at lunacrewest [at] gmail dot com.