About Me
I had to wear several masks growing up, whether it was trying to act more Mexican or American, or even hiding the fact that i was gay. Those tactics at first were meant to help me disappear into the crowd, but they also left me with the desire to explore and belong.
My work is meant to address those ideas around tribalism, pageantry and everyday struggles that connect us all. Whether it's an expression of sadness or happiness I want to give people the possibility to transport themselves into those feelings and embrace them. The masks are a way of unburdening myself as if im taking it off my own body. It's a process of letting go and trying to understand this moment in time through a tangible object. I hope with my work people feel like there's a community out there for them. We may not be together, but if we were in the same village, we would be dancing around the same fire.
Press
Le Mile Magazine Pop Issue #31 - Mask for Mask: Unveiling Joel Hernandez by Malcolm Thomas
California Home And Design - Winter Cover Story
Broke-Ass Stewart - How Joel Hernandez’s Sculptures Capture SF’s Spirit
Studio Ahead - Artist Spotlight - Joel Hernandez
Studio Confessions Podcast - The Mask Episode
Solo Exhibitions
December 2016 - Tomo Mags Gallery - Mercado - Houston, TX
June 2022 - Comecon Popular - Chicago, IL
September 2023 - La Luz De Jesus - Here Because of You - Los Angeles, CA
November 2024 - MAG Gallieries - Alone Together, In a Crowd - San Francisco, CA
Group Exhibitions
March 2021 - La Luz De Jesus Gallery - Los Angeles, CA - Onward 2.0 Portraiture & Figuration Biennial
June 2021 - Superchief Gallery - New York, NY -Superchief Gallery 9 Year Anniversary Group Show
September 2021 - National Museum of Mexican Art - Chicago, IL - Dia de Muertos - A Time to Grieve & Remember
December 2021 - La Luz De Jesus Gallery - Grand Saloon - An Epic Group Exhibition - Los Angeles, CA
April 2022 - Art Market San Francisco - Showing with La Luz De Jesus - San Francisco, CA
August 2022 - An.a.log Gallery - San Francisco, CA
September 2023 - MACLA - Queer-Ennial : A Story of Armor - San Jose, CA
March 2024 - Museo De Las Americas - "Espiritu Hermosx / Beautiful Spirit - Denver CO
Education
2008 - Bachelors in Fine Arts - Indiana University - Bloomington, Indiana
