Forever Cruising: Cultura de Lowriders
July 15 - September 15, 2024 | AAACNA Studies Center, 5th Floor
Reception: Saturday, August 3, 2024 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Please RSVP Here
Join SJSU King Library’s Africana, Asian American, Chicano, & Native American (AAACNA) Studies Center for the “Forever Cruising: Cultura de Lowriders” exhibition celebrating the rich tapestry of art and community gatherings serving as a platform for self-expression, storytelling, and the celebration of cultural pride with the lowrider community.
Experience the creativity, heritage, and cultural pride of the lowrider community through publications, photographs, model cars, and more.
Alejandro, known alternately as Alex Knowbody, is a visual artist (photo/video), art director, and full-time creative based in San José, CA. With over a decade of freelance experience, he’s learned how to expertly capture honest moments by working alongside small businesses, non-profits, local organizations, and the artist community – with the ultimate goal of bringing authenticity to every visual project he is a part of. Connect and follow Alejandro on Instagram @alexknowbody!
Angel Abreo is a San José native who focuses on shooting candid street scenes, street portraits, and urban landscapes. Having seen how San José and the entire Bay Area have changed within the last 30 years; Angel’s goal is to document the people, culture, and landscapes for the next 30 years. Photography has been an amazing outlet for him to capture fleeting moments which oftentimes resonate and provoke emotions out of other fellow humans. Connect and follow Angel on Instagram @truthbyangel!
Araceli Mireya Holmes is a multimedia artist from San José, California. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in art/photography at the University of Oregon. She enjoys using collage and painting to accompany her photography. Themes surrounding her work include interrogation of culture, connection with fellow artists, admiration of inspirational figures, and visiting with family friends, colleagues, and strangers. She is the featured artist for the East Side San José Magazine by Kooltura Marketing in the Fall 2022 Issue: NAHUI. She also had paintings featured in The Art of the African Diaspora 2024 Show at The Richmond Art Center. Connect and follow Araceli on Instagram @Celiography!
Daniel Boles, born and raised in San José, California, started building model cars at the age of seven. His love for lowriders came shortly thereafter. As a young boy living in San José, he started to notice cars that looked different than the hot wheels he was used to playing with. He noticed these beautiful machines, with their chrome wheels, shiny paint, custom interiors, and hydraulics driving around town, and he was enamored. To Daniel, these cooler cars stood out from anything else on the road and opened his world to lowriders. Today, Daniel enjoys building lowrider models, not only as a hobby, but to capture a piece of lowrider culture that he grew up with. Connect and follow Daniel on Instagram @dbos_model_garage!
Jesus Flores is a retired Probation Officer with a passion for vintage bikes, cars, and Lowrider history. During the mid-60s, he was introduced to the lowrider culture by his four older brothers. From 1973 to 1983, through his photographs, he captured the street life of San José and the Chicano culture of Northern California. His photos were published in some of the first issues of Lowrider Magazine and can be found in the archives at the San José Public Library’s California Room. Jesus is a former member of the Brown Beret and the San José Chicano Pride Car Club.
Jesus “Frisco Lens” Coba, a renowned photographer and artist, draws inspiration from his upbringing in San Francisco's Mission District and Hunters Point. Immersed in the vibrant culture of his community, Coba has dedicated his life and art to capturing the essence of his people and his roots. As an artist, Coba’s portfolio embodies photography, revolutionary art, and cultural expression. His work features evocative images of lowriders, street photography, and inspirational movement imagery, all reflecting the spirit and resilience of his community. Through his distinctive lens, Coba tells powerful stories that celebrate his heritage and showcase the enduring strength of his people. Connect and follow Coba on Instagram @frisco_lens!
Maria Herrera was born and raised in East San José in 1973. As a kid, Maria always saw her mother taking pictures and her father listening to music. Photography and music were planted in her and she has used both as an avenue for self-growth, inner peace, and making connections with others. Maria uses photography to get her out of my comfort zone, to help others feel good and to inspire them. Through helping others, Maria has been able to help herself through difficult times in her life and tries to create images that will stay with the viewer long after they turn away. Connect and follow Maria on Instagram @airam_arerreh_3 or @airam_arerreh_2, or on Facebook at Airam Arrereh!
Nick Hernandez is a San José-based designer and artist who works on an array of mediums, both digital and analog. He is an SJSU Alumni, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in industrial design alongside a minor in business marketing in 2019. Connect and follow Nick on Instagram @nickknowbody!
P.LOCZ, musician, artist, and miniaturist, is from southside San José and lives by the fact that if you don’t speak up now, your voice will never be heard. In 2020, he started miniaturism with his daughter and since then has had their art in multiple galleries, art shows, and museums. P.LOCZ tries to capture the voices of what can’t be said and channel it through art. He believes it’s important to not forget where you came from in the process. Whether still in San José or not, he hopes that when you see his art that you think of home and everything good and bad that comes with it. Connect and follow P.LOCZ on Instagram at @_p.locz_!
Steven Martinez was born in East San José. He is passionate about classic lowriders and Chicano culture. His journey into creativity began during high school when he discovered his passion for photography through a Photoshop class. As a witness to San José’s gentrification, he felt compelled to capture what little of the culture was left. Inspired by photographers in Los Angeles, he realized the striking similarities between the thriving Chicano scenes in both cities, motivating him to document San José's unique cultural history. Steven’s impact on the lowrider scene continues in his advocacy for lowrider cruises and community events within San José. Steven is dedicated to preserving lowrider culture. Connect and follow Steven on Instagram at @southbayvisions, and explore more on YouTube and TikTok!
Tyrone “Malow” Diaz was born in Lima, Peru, and currently resides in San Mateo, California. Malow is a distinguished illustrator and self-taught graphic designer with over 30 years of experience. His professional journey includes significant roles at Alphagraphics and Deluxe Corporation. Over the past 15 years, he has specialized in graphic design for Latin Rock music, working with iconic bands such as Malo, El Chicano, Sapo, Carlos, and War the Band. In August 1998, he joined Streetlow Magazine as a graphic designer and ascended to the role of Art Director by 2004. His tenure at Streetlow Magazine has been marked by his dedication to capturing and celebrating the lowrider culture across Northern California, as well as through national travels. His work includes notable exhibits like the San Francisco 40-year lowrider exhibit and the Watsonville lowrider exhibit showcasing his photography. Connect and follow Malow on Instagram at @650malo70!
Vito C. Tenorio is a seasoned graphic designer & pinstriper and the proud owner of Rebel One Graphics. With a B.A. in Communication Design from California State University, Chico, Vito has over 25 years of experience in design and 17 years of Pinstriping in the automotive industry, which he used to establish his own business in 2021. He is skilled in using Adobe Creative Suite, managing large format printing, and has a strong background in graphics. Vito's commitment to bringing creative ideas to life is supported by his dedicated network, including his wife Lorraine and friends. Contact him at rebelonegraphics.com or follow Vito on Instagram at @rebel_one_graphics!
Event Sponsor
Bonnie Montgomery
Event Sponsor
Event Sponsor
