Artist Richard Duardo, the inventor of ‘Latino Pop’, was a pivotal figure in the Chicano Art Community of Los Angeles. Following graduate school at UCLA, Richard “went straight back to the neighborhood he was born into ... determined to find (him)self again, and who (he) really was as a Chicano”. Richard worked at Self Help Graphics before establishing political arts organization Centro de Arte Publico in Highland Park. Richard then transitioned into Modern Multiples, a print studio central to LA Contemporary Art. Richard’s Art utilized pop culture images, and was often political, utilizing serigraphy and a graphic sensibility reflecting his interest in capturing the energy of sub-cultures such as Punk, Rave and Street culture. His works were shown in NYC with Keith Haring, and he had a lifelong friendship and support from actor Mr. Cheech Marin. Richard Duardo is venerated in the Los Angeles Art community as the figure who through the serigraph coalesced into form the activism of Chicano Art, Street Art’s rawness and a Pop sensibility into Los Angeles Street Art.   

As a Master Printmaker he produced for Banksy, David Hockney, Frank Romero, Keith Haring, Gary Panter and Shepard Fairey (Obey) whom he mentored.

Duardo was a uniquely generous artist who is fondly remembered as the promotor of young talent, who supported many LA artists such as Germs, Chaz, Retna and Zeke Pena into the main stream. The Exhibition celebrates the life and work of Richard Duardo, the diversity of his interest, and the central place of the serigraphic image in Los Angeles contemporary culture.