LOS ANGELES ARTIST: JOE BRAVO
XICANO CHRONICLES PRESENTS
EPISODE 01 JOE BRAVO
Release 06.05.21
Joe Bravo was the first Artist that I was ever exposed to. I lived on the very same block in Wilmington as the mural in this video. In 1976, when the mural was being painted, I admired it from afar. For years, I would read, I would sketch, and I would do my homework underneath the mural.
Later, as an adult and as a fellow artist, I became friends with Joe through the L.A. Xicano Art Scene. For many years, it never occurred to me that he was the very same Joe Bravo whose work I admired back in elementary school!
So, for the first episode of Xicano Chronicles, I’m featuring Los Angeles’ own Joe Bravo. Not only known for his Tortilla Artwork but also an artist who has been exhibited and featured domestically and internationally in print and in television.
With my multi-year video project, the Xicano Chronicles, I hope to introduce the next generation to important Chicanx voices. I want to highlight Chicanx Artists, Writers, Curators, and Collectors from the LA art scene through short videos.
Besides creating my own art, I’ve been behind the lens, in the editing room, and on a couple of occasions, in front of the camera. As an artist who identifies as Chicanx, I’m fully invested. My name is Abel Alejandre and in the spirit of Chicanismo self-empowerment, I’m not waiting for someone else to do this.
-Abel Alejandre
About the Artist:
Joe Bravo was born in San Jose, California. His father was from the state of Michoacan, Mexico, and his mother’s family is from Mexicali, Baja California.
Growing up in the border town of Calexico, California, Joe began his art career making mud figures, drawing, constructing wood swords, slingshots, and other projects. The lack of having any store-bought toys helped Bravo to develop his creativity and technical ability because he had to use his imagination to make his own toys.
Joe’s family moved to Los Angeles county in the early ’60s where he attended junior high and high school in Wilmington. Joe won several art awards in high school including outstanding senior for Banning High School’s art department.
Bravo graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design and studied art for one summer in Mexico City at the Taller de Arte Grafica Popular.
Joe had a long career working as an Art Director and Graphic Designer for several ad agencies, corporations, and publications.
He also painted murals for the City of Los Angeles, SPARC, and AT&T.; Joe is the proud father of two adult sons and two grandsons.
Artist Website: joebravo.art
Location: Will Hall Park 325 N Neptune Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744
Music by Josh Garcia
Produced by Atelier Visit
Filmed & Edited by Abel Alejandre