Draft:José Enrique Montes Hernandez

Early Life and Education
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Jose Enrique Montes Hernandez was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, in 1983. He and his family emigrated to Canada in 1990 as war refugees, initially settling in Sherbrooke, Quebec, before moving to Montréal at the end of the 1990s. Montes completed his high school diploma in the Dominican Republic before pursuing post-secondary education in fine arts at the Altos de Chavon campus of the Patterson New School of Design. He later completed a DEC in Photography at the Cegep du Vieux Montreal in 2002 and continued his studies in video art at Altos de Chavon.

Early Career
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Montes began his career by incorporating drawings with painting and photography to create multi-dimensional art pieces. From 2005 to 2007, he exhibited his work in various galleries around Montreal and beyond. He also taught photography at College Mont Saint Louis in 2007. [1][2][3]

Central America and Collaboration
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In 2008, Montes traveled across Central America, receiving a grant from the Conseils des arts et lettres du Quebec to create a 50-page book documenting his travels on a budget of $7 per day. This book featured photocopies of drawings, polaroids, and found objects. In 2009, he became the official photographer, videographer, and personal confidant of Jean Leloup, collaborating on multiple projects.

During this time, Montes established connections with graffiti and street artists, documenting their work and participating in events in the Bronx, Puerto Rico, and Miami. His connections included artists such as COPE2, REVOK, PUN18, ZECKONE, KEMS, SCAN, and EL MAC.

Curatorial Work
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From 2013 to 2015, Montes served as Co-Curator at Yves Laroche Gallery in Montreal, focusing on Lowbrow, Pop Surrealism, and Street Art movements. In 2015, he moved to Taiwan and opened Arcade Art Gallery. From 2016 to 2021, Montes curated the 'Lingya Street Art Festival' in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, bringing more than 25 international artists to paint murals, including Okuda, It's A Living, Elian Chali, JOYS, Arlin Graff, and El Cekis.[4]

During his time in Taiwan, Montes continuously photographed the 'Streets of Taiwan,' resulting in a self-published book in 2023 (ISBN 9781446665107).

Recognition and Impact
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Montes has participated in several notable talks, including:

'Art Talk' ICIDIC 2022 for the University of SHU-TE, Taiwan 'If There's a Will There's a Way' for the Taiwan International Graphic Design Exhibition 2021 ADOBE MAX: Art Walk: Kaohsiung, Taiwan for ADOBE MAX 2020

Publications
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Montes' work has been featured in various publications, including:

"A Big Hand for Jose Enrique Montes Hernandez' Enigmatic Manos Series" by Rob Alderson on It's Nice That (19 July 2012).

"Meet Jose Enrique Montes Hernandez | Artist, Photographer, Videographer, Curator and Director of Arcade Art Gallery" on Shoutout LA (27 September 2021).

Aesthetica Magazine's "Universal Language" (2013).

"Arcade Art Gallery: Exposition, Street Art et Graffiti à Kaohsiung" on Radio Taiwan International (1 April 2020).

Montes' photographs of Jean Leloup were used in the book Jean Leloup: Des Grands Instants de Lucidité by Olivier Boisvert-Magnen. He has also contributed artwork for various music albums, including:

Passwords – Passwords (CD, Album) Mercy, MERCD-7790, 2011 Chinatown – Comment J'ai Explosé (CD, Album) Tacca Musique, TACD-4576, 2012 In Flames (LP) Dare To Care Records, DTC5-2016, Canada, 2014 Kandle (6×File, AAC, EP) Mercy, Canada, 2012

[5]===== Personal and Artistic Philosophy =====

Jose Enrique Montes Hernandez is known for his rebellious artistic style, influenced by his experiences in El Salvador, Canada, the Dominican Republic, and Taiwan. Educated in film arts and photography, Montes documents life through a unique perspective. His work, recognized in books, newspapers, and magazines, has established him as a successful photographer, gallery director, and curator.

Current Activities
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As of 2024, Montes is in Central America, developing new photographic stories and projects.

References

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  1. ^ "BAnQ numérique".
  2. ^ https://ratsdeville.typepad.com/ratsdeville/2013/03/jose-enrique-montes-hernandez-en-cachette.html
  3. ^ "Deux artistes polyvalents et authentiques s'exposent à la nouvelle galerie d'art Artgang Montreal! - Nightlife". 13 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Meet Jose Enrique Montes Hernandez | Artist, Photographer, Videographer, Curator and Director of Arcade Art Gallery – SHOUTOUT LA". 27 September 2021.
  5. ^ www.okjose.work