Willie Herrón III was a Mexican-American artist and musician who was born in Los Angeles, California in 1951. He is best known for his murals, depicting Chicano culture and history. Herrón was also a founding member of the Chicano art collective Asco, which used performance art, photography, and video to challenge stereotypes about Chicanos.
Herrón grew up in East Los Angeles, a predominantly Chicano neighborhood. He began drawing at a young age, and his early work often focused on the social and political issues facing his community.
In 1972, Herrón co-founded Asco with three other Chicano artists: Patssi Valdez, Gronk, and Harry Gamboa Jr. Asco’s work was often provocative and controversial, and it helped to challenge the mainstream perception of Chicano culture.
Herrón’s murals were also highly political. In his mural “The Wall That Cracked Open,” Herrón depicted a Chicano man breaking through a wall, symbolizing the struggle for Chicano liberation. Herrón’s murals were often painted in public spaces and helped raise awareness of Chicano issues.
In addition to his work as a muralist, Herrón was also a musician. He was a founding member of the Chicano punk band Los Illegals, which released several albums in the 1970s and 1980s. Herrón’s music was often angry and aggressive, reflecting his commitment to social justice.
Herrón died in 1996 at the age of 45. He was a major figure in the Chicano art movement, and his work continues to inspire Chicano artists today.
Willie Herrón’s most famous murals:
- The Wall That Cracked Open (1974)
- No Somos Animales (1976)
- La Doliente de Hidalgo (1977)
- Advancements of Man (1978)
- Adam Y Eva (1979)
- Ring of Fire (1980)
Herrón’s murals can be found in several locations in Los Angeles, including:
- Estrada Courts Housing Project
- Ramona Gardens Housing Project
- Self-Help Graphics & Art Center
- The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
- The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Herrón’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and it has been featured in a number of books and documentaries. 2013 the Smithsonian American Art Museum acquired a collection of Herrón’s work.
References
- Herrón, Willie. “Willie Herrón: A Retrospective.” Social and Public Art Resource Center, 2017, www.sparc.org/exhibitions/willie-Herron-retrospective.
- “Willie Herrón III.” Smithsonian American Art Museum, Americanart.si.edu/artist/willie-f-herron-iii-30524.
- “Willie Herrón.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Herr%C3%B3n.
