I’m Hernán González, an Argentine contemporary artist based in Dublin. My practice brings together original paintings, portraits, murals and live art, using spray paint, stencil and mixed media. I was born in Argentina in 1983, just after the fall of the military junta and the restart of democracy. My connection with street art started from a young age. At age 7, I recall seeing artists painting in the street under the summer sun and feeling inspired by their energy and enthusiasm. That day I knew I wanted to be a street artist. When I was 13 years old I began to work with the accomplished artist Fernando Machado as his assistant. After studying the techniques and practicing, I began to paint my own works. There was a lot of trial and error at first and I am still perfecting techniques. It takes a lot of practice to manage spray.

Throughout my career as a street artist I have been fortunate enough to travel across the world, throughout South America, Europe and Asia.  For over 25 years, I have travelled the world performing at festivals and I take inspiration from the countries and cultures where I work. Throughout my career and travels, I have learned and refined my style of painting, which uses unique methods, including stencilling, airbrush and finger painting, as well as using unconventional materials, like old magazines, newspaper, etc.

I fervently believe that art is a fundamental piece in the creative development of young people. As someone who grew up on the street, for me art isn’t confined to galleries. Street art has a wider impact and can bring art to inaccessible, hard-to-reach communities.

I have done considerable work bringing art to disadvantaged young people. For example, I was part of a group of artists and muralists who undertook a number of different projects with young people in Argentina. One of these projects was called Collectivo Multicultural, a multicultural collective of artists with whom I toured Argentina going to schools, youth groups, and football clubs to conduct shows, exhibitions and art seminars from 2014–2016. From 2009 – 2011, through my local council, I worked with local youths to make a series of thematic murals in skate parks. Local children from all over heard about the project and wanted to get involved, this led to expanding the project into schools to teach children to paint.

I have also done several volunteer projects around the world with the same theme, highlighting art and muralism by giving courses and short seminars.  My aim has always been to teach with practical involvement from young people to give them a tool that could change their lives.

Explore my original artwork collections, discuss a commission, mural or live art project, or join the collector list and receive my digital Artbook.