Jose Lozano

José Lozano (b. 1959, Los Angeles) is a celebrated painter, draftsman, and children’s book author whose work is rooted in the cultural interplay between Mexico and Southern California. Lozano’s career has been marked by a distinctive ability to blend humor, memory, and social commentary, creating a visual language that is both deeply personal and widely resonant.

When he was still a child, his mother relocated the family to her hometown of Juárez, México. Life along the U.S.-Mexico border left a lasting impression on Lozano, exposing him to the rich cultural touchstones of Mexican music, popular iconography, and neighborhood traditions. These early experiences continue to influence his visual storytelling. In 1967, the family returned to Southern California, where teachers quickly recognized his artistic talent and encouraged him to pursue drawing and painting.

Lozano went on to study at California State University, Fullerton, where he earned both his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees. His career soon gained momentum, with exhibitions at major institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the UCLA Armand Hammer Museum, the Orange County Museum of Contemporary Art, Patricia Correia Gallery, Self Help Graphics, and Avenue 50 Studio. Recognized for his contributions, he has been awarded both a J. Paul Getty Mid-Career Grant in Painting and a California Arts Council Grant for Drawing and Painting.

Known as a principal figure in the Los Angeles Latino arts scene, Lozano’s practice reflects themes of identity, everyday life, and cultural hybridity. His public installation La Metro Lotería brings playful cultural references to commuters at the La Brea Metro stop in Los Angeles, underscoring his belief that art belongs in everyday spaces. His paintings and drawings are also included in the renowned Cheech Marin Collection of Chicano Art, which has helped elevate Chicano artists onto the national stage.

Today, Lozano continues to live and work in Anaheim, California, where he balances his studio practice with writing and illustrating children’s books that extend his storytelling into new forms. His art captures the humor, struggles, and vitality of bicultural life, affirming his place as one of the key voices in contemporary Chicano art.