Photography by Lan Nguyen and Ian Lundie

Bryan & Edgar Sanchez

“SJMX”

Mural Location: Guadalupe River Trail @ San Fernando Street, San Jose

“This mural pays homage to our Mexican roots by referencing Pre-Hispanic imagery in a modern/graphic style. The mural begins with the head of an Eagle Warrior, one of the most prestigious warriors in Aztec culture, used to symbolize strength and perseverance. The head of a character wearing a Zapotec influenced headdress follows. To its right is an image of a jaguar which in ancient cultures was associated with royalty and held a heavy spiritual significance. Opposite to it sits a Mixtec mummy bundle wearing a jade mask believed to protect and guide the deceased from the dangers of the afterlife. In the far right is a feathered serpent, one of the most important deities of the Pre-Columbian cultures. Next to it are Golden Poppies, California’s state flower, and a depiction of a jade Olmec baby. All of these figures combine to represent a union between the terrestrial and the divine. Both ends are united by a large Olmec jade mask in the center. The mask is surrounded by decorative elements as well as 3 hieroglyphic-like characters on each side: a dog’s head, a young man, and a skull. The center character is a hybrid between the Aztec god Tlaloc, and a cartoon representation of a young man. This is meant to symbolize the connection we have with our ancestors to this day whether through physical characteristics or our desire to connect with our origins.” - Sanchez Brothers

IG @ bryansanchezzzzz & @sanchez9215

Jacqueline de Leon

“Coastal Baths”

Mural Location: Guadalupe River Trail @ Park Avenue, San Jose

“The concept is something I have been working on for a few years now, and is inspired by my childhood and love for the ocean. As a kid I would spend hours in the bath with all of my sea animal toys, pretending the bath was the ocean and they were swimming around me. Growing up I have always been drawn to water and the ocean, and after taking a trip to the Point Lobos natural reserve recently, I just wanted to bathe in the water surrounded by the sea animals, and this painting is a depiction of my dreams.” - Jaqueline

IG: @jacquelindeleon 

HORITOMO

“YOAKE NO NORANEKO (STRAY CAT AT DAWN)”

Mural Location: Guadalupe River Trail @ Coleman Avenue, San Jose

“To celebrate the Lunar year of the Tiger, Horitomo chose a Tiger Monmon Cat. The tiger is a strong symbol in Asian culture and is often paired with bamboo. It is said that the tiger fears only the elephant, which can trample the tiger, and is protected while in the bamboo as the elephant tusks can not pass between the bamboo shoots. These motifs of strength and protection are extremely important to many cultures, and certainly are appropriate considering the racism faced by Asian Americans today. The Monmon rat is holding a Hoshu (wish granting jewel) and pairs for good luck.” - Horitomo

The Mormon Cat @monmoncats mural production was supported by the State of Grace collective of artists @stateofgracetattoo (IG)

Alberto Garcia @itsbertogarcia

Drew Flores @doryu_san

Horitomo @horitomo_stateofgrace

Kenji Stoll @_yokenji

Matt Shamah - @mattshama

Molly Kitamura @knivesandneedles

Taki Kitamura @stateofgracetaki

Tyler Harrington @tylerharringtontattoos

Humble Beginnings Tattoo Collective

“New Wave”

Mural Location: Guadalupe River Trail @ Woz Way, San Jose

“A collection of narratives from 6 artists who are paying tribute to their native homelands and local community that interweave each other to create story of resilience, honor, strength and traditions.” - Humble Beginnings crew @hbtatt2 (IG)

JORDAN GABRIEL - @jgabrielart 

The tiger symbolizes qualities that I aspire to adopt and apply into my own life. The courage to chase a dream, the drive to stay consistent, the resilience to survive, the thrill of the challenge and the hunger for triumph. Included is a script of “Humble Beginnings” because our collective share the same ideals and strive to embody these qualities to better our craft. These are the same characteristics that I admire in our mentor, Orly Locquiao. The tiger eye represents the laser-focused vision of where I am at present and where I desire to be. The waves represent the ebb and flow of life—reveling in the highs, learning from the lows and preparing for the new waves of change.

MELISSA MANUEL - @melchonattack

This piece is a representation of the Filipino ancestral migration. Taking the bloodline of our past and bringing it to present day. The waves represent the ocean; what our people were taught to be the one thing that connects us to other cultures and land. The Ocean is our channel that connected us to other communities. The movement of the waves pushes a canoe forward. The meaning of the canoe that is placed in the bottom right, symbolizes the Filipino traditions that are carried and passed through generations of immigrant families. The patterns that are used in the background represent protection, guidance and unity, all of meanings that are instilled in our culture today.

RICARDO GONZALEZ - @gonzoetattoos

As an artist from Humble Beginnings Tattoo, my section of the mural celebrates the melting pot of the different races of women here in San Jose. I come from Hispanic and Pacific Islander backgrounds so having this woman represent the mixture of cultures is how I am showcasing my point of view. The California poppy is a representation of this great state and local foliage. Additionally, both cultures wear flowers in their hair as a way to decorate themselves.

JEFF QUINTANO - @jeffquintano 

The main idea of the design is to value and protect our women. I use this native or warrior spear and shield to symbolize the old ways where women were considered as highly beings and protected. The woman in the artwork though is wearing a Filipiniana dress, a type of fashion from a different point in time. This is to symbolize that the practice to value our women should be passed on to the next generation.

ALAN PHAM - @alanpham

“Tết (lunar year) is the most important holiday in the Vietnamese community. In San Jose, pockets of Vietnamese neighborhoods celebrate all week long with fireworks, gambling, and delicious traditional foods. During Tết, Little Saigon and Lion Plaza on the East Side explode into colorful, loud, wild, places of celebration. It’s a beautiful spectacle of culture, where the young, old, and everyone in between, meet to celebrate the new year. This year is year of the tiger and I wanted to paint this piece to pay homage to my Vietnamese heritage. Tigers represent strength, willpower, and bravery, and I’m hoping this piece will carry on that message through the year. “

ORLY LOCQUIAO -@orlycukui 

The piece I created Represents the waves of change, growth in your life, and the responsibility that you have in your community and to uplift people around you. There are different meanings within the different patterns like strength in life and new beginnings. Also there are family patterns that represent unity and perseverance. The lotus flower represents that you can still grow beautiful, grow strong and grow vibrant within this world of muck and mud. Also it represents being an immigrant and adapting to a new culture and a new society. Making it and learning from the struggle that you go through. Learning a new language and putting aside your native tongue so you can assimilate to society's standards. But most of all working hard to provide for your loved ones and to create your American Dream.

YOSHI47

Mural Location: 525 N 7th Street, Suite 10, San Jose, CA

IG: @yoshi_47