Some SoCal residents spent thier summer at the beach, or at their local rooftop pool; others spent it indoors, hiding from ICE agents.
it’s why Riverside artist Perry Picasshoe spent his summer documenting the melting of 36 ice blocks on sidewalks across the Inland Empire.
He traveled to nine locations, a mix of parks, storefronts and gas stations, where immigration enforcement raids have taken place in the past few weeks. In each spot, he placed four 25-pound ice blocks on the ground and took photos of them as they melted. He would periodically check on the progress, he explained, and found that some where smashed into pieces or fully disappeared.
“I took it as a metaphor of what’s happening,” Picasshoe said, referencing the recent ICE raids taking place across Southern California. “I was also thinking a lot about having these blocks of ice as almost a stand-in for people.”
This latest art piece is just one of the many other Chicano-focused projects that Picasshoe has created in his hometown in the past three years. His goal, among all of the artworks, is to push its residents to reflect on the complexity of the Inland Empire’s Latino identity.
Cosme Cordova, long-time Riverside Chicano artist and Division 9 Gallery founder, explained that for decades, Latino artists considered Riverside a “boot camp” instead of a city where they could make a living. They would earn some money in their hometown,then travel to other prominent locations,like Los Angeles or Palm Springs,where artists felt their work was more respected.As the years went on, he said, the local community began to understand the value in supporting its artists.
“Then when the Cheech came, it’s got international attention, so it’s just gotten even better,” Cordova said.”I’m starting to see a lot of artists now more genuinely focused on just trying to showcase their work here in Riverside.”
The most prominent addition within the region has been the Cheech
From Ice Blocks to Art Blocks: perry Picasshoe’s Journey from Riverside Streets to cheech Marin Center
Riverside, Calif. – Perry Picasshoe, a name synonymous with vibrant street art in Riverside, is now having his work showcased within the walls of the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. A far cry from the days when picasshoe’s medium of choice was ice, meticulously sculpted into ephemeral masterpieces on the city’s sidewalks.
For years, Picasshoe gained a local following for his intricate ice sculptures, often depicting cultural icons and scenes from everyday life. He’d work quickly, knowing his art was destined to melt, a poignant commentary on the fleeting nature of existence. “The ice was a metaphor,” Picasshoe explains, standing outside the Cheech, a building he once admired from afar. “Everything changes. Nothing stays the same.”
But the impermanence frustrated him. He wanted his art to endure, to spark conversation beyond a few hours on a hot afternoon. He transitioned to more lasting materials – paint, canvas, and eventually, large-scale murals that now adorn buildings throughout Riverside.
The Cheech marin Center,a celebration of Chicano art and culture,felt like a natural progression. “It’s an honor to be recognized by a space that champions the art of our community,” Picasshoe says. His current exhibition features a collection of his mural designs, sketches, and even photographs documenting his early ice sculptures – a nod to his humble beginnings.
The journey wasn’t easy. Picasshoe faced skepticism and challenges as he evolved his style. But he persevered, driven by a desire to tell stories and connect with people through his art.
“I want my work to reflect the spirit of Riverside, the resilience of its people, and the beauty of our culture,” he says. and now, thanks to the Cheech Marin Center, Perry Picasshoe’s vision is reaching a wider audience, proving that even art born of ice can leave a lasting impression.
Riverside Artist Uses Melting Ice Sculptures to Protest Immigration Enforcement
Riverside-based artist Picasshoe (born Guillermo Hernandez) has become known for impactful, community-engaged artwork that blends personal narrative with social commentary.Recent installations at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano art & Culture and a public art presentation during Riverside’s monthly arts walk highlight his evolving practice and commitment to addressing pressing social issues.
Early Work & “of Guillermo Hernandez, Beethoven, y los Guachimontones”
Hernandez’s work often draws on his personal history and cultural heritage.His piece, “of Guillermo Hernandez, Beethoven, y los Guachimontones,” featured his grandfather alongside his chihuahua, set against the backdrop of a Teuchitlán pyramid – a meaningful archaeological site in Jalisco, Mexico. The artwork was accompanied by a unique interactive element: a pyramid constructed from Abuelita Mexican Chocolate bricks, offered freely to visitors during the exhibition’s opening.https://riversideartmuseum.org/exhibitions/of-guillermo-hernandez-beethoven-y-los-guachimontones/
“Queer wishes” and Personal Expression
Following this, Hernandez co-curated an exhibition at the Cheech that included his installation, “Queer wishes.” This three-dimensional piece, housed within a black box, featured a white dress crafted from bath towels and adorned with gems, displayed on a mannequin. A vanity table with makeup and porcelain wishbones completed the scene. Hernandez explained the work stemmed from childhood experiences of finding solace and self-expression in private moments, specifically using bath towels as makeshift dresses. https://www.pe.com/2023/07/07/riverside-artist-uses-melting-ice-sculptures-to-protest-immigration-enforcement/
Responding to Increased immigration Enforcement
While initially intending to focus on personal projects, Hernandez felt compelled to respond to escalating immigration enforcement raids in Southern California. This led to his most recent and arguably most impactful work: three translucent ice sculptures placed strategically throughout downtown Riverside on July 3, 2023.
The sculptures, each approximately 40 inches tall and weighing 300 pounds, were positioned in front of the Cheech Marin center for Chicano Art & Culture, the focal point of the city’s arts walk, and the Riverside County Superior Court.Each sculpture featured a portion of the phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” inscribed upside down on a wooden platform, alongside a QR code linking to further facts about the artwork’s intent.https://www.pe.com/2023/07/07/riverside-artist-uses-melting-ice-sculptures-to-protest-immigration-enforcement/
Hernandez deliberately chose the date for its high foot traffic, aiming to both represent marginalized communities and challenge others to confront the realities of immigration policy. He emphasizes the importance of art existing within public life, stating, “art should be lived in.”