Arte Stories

Few people know that one of the most iconic murals that reflects the struggles of Hispanic Americans during the 1960s and 1970s is located in the historic East End neighborhood of Houston. The creator of this massive 240-foot mural is a self-made artist from South Texas. His name, Leopoldo Tanguma, better known as Leo. Artists and muralist Leo Tanguma was born to Texas farm workers with Mexican ancestors in Beeville, Texas, a small and underdeveloped town located right in the middle of Corpus Christi and San Antonio. He started his life-long art career at the very young age of eight using a pencil and pieces of card boxes to draw promising portraits of his friends. But, the hardships endured by Latino-Americans inspired his art.

When Christina and Joe Morales, owners of Morales Funeral Home and Morales Radio Hall, wanted to create a visual rendition of their near century contribution to the East End, they commissioned Angel Quesada. They wished to commemorate their 87-year family business and the intertwined culture of the East End which they are both a part of and were instrumental in advancing. “El Segundo Barrio”, as it is known to long-time residents, is a place that embodies everything that Quesada, known by his signature ARTKUNGFU, tries to imbue in his art.

Mario E. Figueroa, Jr. better known as GONZO247 is an accomplished and self-taught artist born and raised in Houston, Texas. He lives and works in East End Houston where he has been inspired to create some of the most notable murals in the city. His artistic talent that combines hip-hop culture and visual arts has given him a reputation within the local art community. This is his story.