Early Years — Press, Exhibitions & Milestones

Archival highlights from the 1990s–2010s documenting Aerosol Warfare, GONZO247 (Mario E. Figueroa Jr.), and early scene activity.

1990s

  • 1990 (Summer) — First legal & paid mural (Houston). At 17, GONZO247 completes a permitted/paid mural that nods to the 1990 G-7/8 Summit. (Milestone)
  • 1992–1993 — Aerosol Warfare video magazine (VHS) starts circulating globally; the Wall of Fame legal graffiti wall is established at Palmer & McKinney. (Media project / Program)
  • 1993 — “Bombs, Burners, Scribbles & Tags,” REF Studios (Montrose). Frequently cited as one of Houston’s first graffiti/street-art gallery shows with GONZO247 participation. (Exhibition)
  • 1997–1999 — Limp Bizkit single artwork credit. Counterfeit / Counterfeit Countdown features an Aerosol Warfare sculpture (Christopher “BeZerk” Salat) photographed by M. Figueroa (GONZO247). (Release/credit)
Sources (1990s)
  1. Artist site — Texas, 1990
  2. Artist site — Aerosol Warfare (VHS)
  3. Houston History Magazine — “Houston’s Graffiti Culture” (PDF)
  4. Houstonia — Houston Street Art retrospective
  5. Discogs — Counterfeit Countdown credits

2000s

  • 2000 — Aerosol Warfare Gallery opens (EaDo). The collective evolves into a gallery/studio hosting shows, workshops, and community programs. (Milestone)
  • Nov 15–16, 2003 — “Disposable Art,” El Dog Gallery. Skate-deck group show organized by GONZO247/Aerosol Warfare. (Exhibition)
  • Oct 8, 2005 — “No Parking,” Aerosol Warfare Gallery. Works on real “No Parking” signs; plan to install pieces on Houston streets after the show. (Exhibition)
  • Feb 7–10, 2006 — Shepard Fairey, solo (hosted by Aerosol Warfare). Calendar preview + context on Houston’s poster/graffiti moment. (Exhibition)
  • Apr 28–29, 2006 — Rammellzee in Houston. “Phat Futurist” meet-the-artist at Aerosol Warfare; performance at the Orange Show next day. (Event)
  • Oct 26, 2007 — Preview: DiverseWorks “This Old House.” Swamplot covers the full-wrap house project at Alabama & Almeda. (Press)
  • Oct 30, 2007 — “This Old House” unveiling (DiverseWorks Satellite Space). Date captured in opening-night photo metadata. (Event)
  • May 13, 2008 — Houston Chronicle feature: “House today, gone tomorrow.” Recaps the project’s life cycle and location. (Press feature)
Sources (2000s)
  1. Houston History Magazine — scene overview (incl. AW Gallery)
  2. Houston Press — “The Art of Retail” (El Dog / Disposable Art)
  3. Art Crimes — 2005 events archive
  4. Houston Press — “All’s Fairey” (2006)
  5. Houston Press — “Phat Futurist” (Rammellzee)
  6. Swamplot — DW house preview (2007)
  7. Flickr — opening-night photo (2007-10-30)
  8. Houston Chronicle — feature (2008)

2010s (early)

  • Nov 28, 2011 — “Aerosol Warfare: Exhibit, Visual History and Performance Art in One Show.” Houston Press feature documents AW’s history wall and press-clipping installation. (Press feature)
Sources (2010s)
  1. Houston Press — AW history feature (2011)