Adam Hernandez
painter / street artist / muralist / printmaker / designer
“It's not about what you do, it’s how you make [people] feel. Meaning, you don't have to be perfect at painting realism, or able to shred on a guitar etc; as long as you can connect with your audience and illicit some kind of feeling, you're doing your job as an artist.”
Artist Bio
Originally from the Bronx, New York, Adam Hernandez (he, him, his) has called Columbus, Ohio home since 2008. Adam was named the Best Artist in Columbus in 2019 and has painted murals in cities across the US as well as internationally in Cape Town, South Africa and Bristol, England. Adam is best known for his street art and hieroglyphic inspired work. He is inspired by his Puerto Rican and Taino heritage. Adam has been commissioned to create artwork for companies including Maker’s Mark, Promowest Productions, Kaufman Development, Condado Taco, and Jackie O’s Brewery. Adam has collaborated with GCAC on several projects including the ArtUnitesColumbus mural project that later became a traveling exhibition and hard cover table book: Art. Activism. Action and in 2021 he was commissioned to create artwork for members of GCAC’s board of trustees. He has received several grants over the years including Individual Artist grants (2021, 2022, 2023), a COVID-19 Emergency Relief for Artists grant (2020); and in 2018 he was awarded both a Professional Development and Resource grant.
Artist Links
Artist Gallery
Artist Q & A
How do you describe your art?
My work centers on exploring themes and motifs from my Puerto Rican heritage. I am most known for a style I like to call modern hieroglyphics, this includes my body of work called the Land of Thunderbirds and my Vejigante-inspired Godmasks. I am also inspired by graffiti, comic books, and 70's psychedelic art.
How do you approach your creative process?
My creative process varies as much as the mediums I create with. Whether it's a large scale mural, a beer can design, or a block print, it starts with a drawing. If you start with a good solid drawing the rest of the process should go pretty smoothly. I like to work clean and quick, especially if I am working with a deadline, so if I run into any snags I have extra time at the end to tie it all together and finish.
Why do your characters often have multiple sets of eyes?
The multiples eyes are meant to be an encouragement to look at things beyond our physical world. We can see what is around us, but I want to encourage my audience to look deeper, and open themselves up to the possibility that there is a mystical side of our universe.
What advice would you give to emerging artists?
The advice I would give-up-and coming artists is: It's not about what you do, it’s how you make them feel. Meaning, you don't have to be perfect at painting realism, or able to shred on guitar etc, as long as you can connect with your audience and illicit some kind of feeling, you're doing your job as an artist.
What do you wish people would ask you and how would you answer if they did?
I wish people would ask me if I could be commissioned to paint a mural on the side of their five-story building. My answer would be "Hell yes!"
