Hector Silva
Saint Drastiko, 2007
Serigraph, Ed. 85
26”x20”

Saint Drastiko is part of Homombre, a collection of silkscreen prints by ten artists that explore the diverse realities, cultures, and struggles of gay Latino men. This pencil drawing-like print depicts a young homeboy, “Drastiko,” with a grey hoodie and barbed-wire halo, surrounded by roses. The symbolism referring to danger and criminality is softened by the floral and religious imagery, challenging any one-dimensional look at the hard-edged features of the saint. The roses also intend to memorialize those who have suffered from gang violence, gay bashing, family abuse, or other hate crimes.

HECTOR SILVA is a self-taught artist based in Los Angeles who has been producing work for more than thirty years. Living in Los Angeles with its rich Latino/Chicano culture, Hector draws from the Latino tradition. Recent group and solo exhibitions include a retrospective at The One Institute/USC, KGB Gallery, Highways Performance Space, the Museum of Latin American Art, City of Buena Park City Hall Council Chamber, El Camino City College, the Museum of Mexican American Art, the Autry National Center of the American West, the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Museo Hispano de Nevada, the Erotic Heritage Museum, DePaul University, and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, to name a few. He was recently recognized by the City of LA's Mayor's Office, the County of LA Board of Supervisors, and by the State of California's House of Representatives for his contributions to his communities with his art and philanthropic work.