Live T-Shirt Printing with Joseph Velasquez, Chicano artist and visionary behind Drive By Press
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024
T-Shirts will be live printed during the UDHR event led by Joseph Velasquez and his print club.
Joseph Velasquez, a Chicano artist and the visionary behind Drive By Press, has embarked on a diverse artistic journey shaped by his nomadic upbringing. Growing up amidst 22 different public schools across San Fernando, CA, El Paso, TX, and Austin, TX, This upbringing immersed him in a world of vibrant graphic influences, from the colorful murals and graffiti tags to the intricate tattoos and inky impressions that adorned his surroundings.
Joseph's artistic prowess has garnered national and international recognition, with his work featured in published articles and curated exhibitions highlighting LatinX artists. His portfolio includes solo showcases on the national and international stage, including a prestigious spot at the 54th La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, Italy. Notably, he was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 2017 for his groundbreaking Carnival of INK project, a community-based printmaking initiative in Sheboygan, WI, receiving a grant of $50,000.
Joseph’s current work's central theme revolves around exploring his Chicano heritage, with a particular focus on delving into the indigenous experiences of his great-grandfather, Catarino Velasquez, as he traversed the Southwestern United States. His narratives, deeply ingrained within the oral traditions of his family, serve as the inspiration for Joseph’s work, which aims to visually encapsulate and share this rich tapestry of stories with a broader audience.
