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LA Mix |
Charles "Chaz" Bojorquez believes that true self expression comes from the soul. At an early age, in the 1950s, he experienced the graffiti tradition of the East Los Angeles Mexican-Americans. Los Angeles "Cholo" style graffiti was dictated by an honored code of writing. Allegiance to that code of traditional writing brought you respect. Armed with the respect of his peers, Bojorquez sought to deepen his artistic understanding by enrolling at Chouinard Art Institute (known today as Cal Arts). He bolstered his studies by simultaneously mastering the art of Asian calligraphy. Following these experiences, in 1969 he combined the tradition and honor from Cholo gang graffiti and his education from Chouinard with the spiritual skills of Asian calligraphy. Bojorquez was one of the first graffiti writers from Los Angeles with his own style—a style uniquely Angeleno yet all his own. Bojorquez and his works have been featured in dozens of museums throughout the world. He was recently featured in LACMA’s exhibition Los Angelenos, for which he created the title treatment. His artwork has been displayed in the Smithsonian, the National Museum of American Art, MOCA, the Laguna Art Museum, the Orange County Museum of Art, and the Autry, to name a few. His work has also been featured in films (Graffiti Verité and Bomb It ) and apparel (Vans and Disney).
