#houstonmurals

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"CHILD LABOR"

by Hopare

While one girl applies makeup her friend collects mica, a mineral commonly used in makeup. In 2023 Hopare created this allegory on Fannin St in downtown Houston, addressing the connections between child labor and consumption and the contradictions of modern society. The mural is one of more than two dozen large works curated by @StreetArtMankind around Houston as part of its "Big Art, Bigger Change" project—bringing beauty to the city while also promoting social and environmental justice. In little more than a decade French artist Alexandre Monteiro, aka Hopare, has become an important figure in urban art, adding his poignant visual statements across the global stage. 

LOCATION: 1617 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002

IG: @hopare1  

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"YOU ARE POWERFUL"

by Verny Sanchez

Born in Venezuela where he studied and then taught graphic design, Verny Sanchez then lived in Spain for a dozen years, focusing on his art, before moving to Houston, Texas. Working somewhere along the continuum between abstract and representation Sanchez expresses himself through a broad set of creative practices including painting, installations, assemblages, drawing and sculpture. In November, 2019 Sanchez participated in Houston's @HUEMuralFest with this piece on the side of the festival headquarters at Canal and Nolan Streets.  @vernysanchez/

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"THE BIRDS ALWAYS COME BACK"

by Emily Ding and Helena Martin

During a storm, the birds disappear and you can only hear the thunder and rain. After the skies clear however, they come back singing once more. —Emily Ding

Splitting her time between Houston and Austin, @spratx says Emily Ding's ambition and drive are "only matched by her fanatical devotion to the visual arts and care for all creatures." Born to two hard working Chinese immigrants Ding's alluring work also reflects a depth of emotion and experience. Touched on a deeply personal level by ecological destruction, Austin-based Helena Martin, like Ding, finds inspiration for her work in the flora and fauna of the world and hopes her work makes others more environmentally sensitive. In 2017, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Ding and Martin brought some calm back to the Houston community with this collaboration on Lyons Ave at @SaintArnoldBrewing for @HUEMuralFest .  @_emilyding/  @helena_paints/

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HUE MURAL FESTIVAL

by Scott Tarbox

Originally from McAllen, Houston street artist Scott Tarbox started participating in art shows in 2012 and has now painted murals from coast to coast, as well as a couple in Bogota, Colombia. Tarbox is reportedly a big animal lover, rescuing many dogs and including dog faces in many of his compositions. In December, 2019, making a late addition to the biennial @HUEMuralFest several weeks after the festivities, Tarbox added this dog watching over the rail line off of Opelousas St near @SaintArnoldBrewing .  @tarboxx2/

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HUE MURAL FEST

by Luis Valle

Born in Nicaragua but exiled to Florida with his family at an early age, Luis Valle, aka El Chan Guri, studied at Florida State and then received a master's degree from NYU. Valle says he was heavily influenced by his time in New York but the emerging art scene in Miami drew him back and he's since immersed himself in all aspects of the scene: working closely with community arts organizations, developing ties with many galleries and art studios, and making a name for himself with elaborate body painting at locations and events across South Florida. Valle says his easily recognizable mural work "is a blend of influences from indigenous cultures, psychology, shamanism, religion, spirituality, frequency, vibration, and energy." Still happily channeling the influence of Nicaraguan heritage Valle painted this jaguar for the 2016 edition of Houston's @HUEMuralFest — on Opelousas St near @SaintArnoldBrewing   @el_chan_guri/

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"GIANT SCULPTURE DUDE & BEES"

by Kimie Flores

Another tattoo artist knocking out great murals.... In Kimie Flores's case, however, it should come as no surprise. Growing up in a small South Texas town Flores was always captivated by European artwork and heading off to Texas State University to study communications she also minored in painting. Flores told @VoyageHouston she made several trips to Italy in the process and the art she was exposed to has heavily influenced her personal art as well as her tattoos. Late in 2019 Austin-based Flores was in Houston painting for @HUEMuralFest and added this clearly Euro-influenced work overlooking the railroad tracks off of Lyons Ave near Saint Arnold Brewing.  @kimieflores/

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LA FAMILIA MARKET

by Daniel Anguilu

The murals that I create are my contribution to stop any type of injustice and to bring awareness to social, cultural, and political issues. —Daniel Anguilu

Moving to Houston from Mexico at age 14 artist Daniel Anguilu learned to communicate through painting walls and freight trains. Developing a style deeply inspired by his Mexican heritage Anguilu is passionate about freedom of expression and drawing on the strength of the great Mexican muralists he told @StationMuseum "he does not agree with any government that would allow the creation of third class citizens." @ABC13Houston reports that Anguilu has now painted more than 100 murals around the city. This 2017 work is at Canal and St Charles Streets on the walls of La Familia market in the historically diverse Second Ward of Houston's East End.  @daniel_anguilu/

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"SISTERS"

by Nicky Davis

"Influenced by Saturday morning cartoons, graffiti covered walls, and long hikes through the wilderness" Houston-based Nicky Davis says his art is an "exploration into the ghost covered, rainbow splashed underworld of his imagination"—an attempt to make sense of "what the hell it is that we are all doing here." Davis maintains a consistent style across a wide range of mediums from toys to murals and fine art to merchandise. Recently contributing to the @Gonzo247 founded @HUEMuralFest Davis says this addition to the Houston Graffiti Building on Chartres St is dedicated to his kids and he offers up the work with an invitation to share pics "doing awesome things in front of it."  @nickydavis/