Allison Hueman Explained

Allison Hueman
Field:Graffiti
Street art
Birth Name:Allison Torneros
Birth Date:1985

Allison Hueman is a Filipino-American[1] graffiti artist, painter, and illustrator,[2] [3] based in Oakland, California.[4] Hueman's best-known works include the Golden State Warriors 2022-23 City Edition Uniforms & basketball court,[5] Bloom, a mural in the Los Angeles Arts District commemorating community advocate Joel Bloom,[6] and the cover artwork for Pink’s 2019 record, Hurts 2B Human.[7] [8] As street art is a medium dominated by men, Hueman is noted as a female artist who has achieved significant renown.[9] [10]

Career

Allison Hueman graduated from the University of California Los Angeles in 2008 with a degree in design and media arts.[11] After graduating, she worked as a freelance graphic designer and web designer.[12]

Early works by Allison Hueman include a Nike-commissioned portrait of Kobe Bryant,[13] [14] [15] a mural for P Diddy's Revolt TV office[16] [17] and Ritual, a 9-day, free-styled, floor-to-ceiling mural installation in a 5,000 sq foot warehouse space.[18] [19] In 2013, Allison Hueman was one of the first artists commissioned to paint a mural after Los Angeles lifted its street art ban.[20] In May 2014, Allison Hueman was named one of LA Weekly's People of the Year and was featured on a limited-edition cover of the issue.[21] [22]

In 2013, Allison Hueman was featured in season 8, episode 27 of Pawn Stars “Say It, Don't Spray It.” During the episode she is seen painting a mural of the main cast on the garage door of the Gold and Silver Pawn shop. The mural is still there today and is similar in design to Mount Rushmore.

In 2015, she and artist Daniela Rocha curated Wander and Wayfare,[23] [24] which featured murals painted around San Francisco by eight female street artists, as well as a gallery art show.[25] The event "will be an annual exhibition and mural festival that plans to brighten the future of the San Francisco art scene." That July, she also participated in the second annual series of Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans, organized by PangeaSeed in Cozumel, Mexico.[26]

In 2019, Allison Hueman was commissioned by filmmaker Ava Duvernay to paint the facade of her production company Array.[27] Other projects include a painting at Hickory Alley in San Francisco, which is a large mural that spanned 5 buildings, titled Spray Ballet funded by the SF Community Challenge Grant, the design of a Nike shoe for the Olympics,[28] a collaboration with Forever 21,[29] and a refurbished basketball court for the Golden State Warriors at Salesian Boys & Girls Club, unveiled by Stephen Curry.[30] In 2020, Hueman teamed up with Under Armour and Stephen Curry for the release of the Curry 8 Flow. This is the first signature shoe debuting under the two-time NBA MVP’s namesake brand.[31] [32] This same design was used in the refurbishment of the Manzanita court in Oakland, as a part of Curry’s efforts to give back to the community.

In September 2020, she participated in POW! WOW! festival.[33]

Premiering in the SF Bay Area in January 2022, Homebody[34] was an immersive art experience that explored shifting identities while living under government-mandated isolation, inviting viewers to engage with Allison Hueman’s work at the intersection of art and technology.

The original exhibit spanned over 20,000 square feet, allowing guests to journey through five cohesive installations. Translucent floor-to-ceiling installations expanded upon Allison Hueman’s Veiled Intent series of work, which play with themes of transparency, light, color and space. The 360 immersive experience was brought to animated life by video projection mapping and augmented reality activated on visitors’ smart devices.

In 2022, Allison Hueman designed the Golden State Warriors 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform and basketball court.[5] The NBA is calling the “photo-real style the first of its kind on an NBA jersey,” according to Nadia Roohparvar, the league’s manager of on-court and brand partnerships.[5] The centerpiece of the uniform is a yellow rose, representing the fearless, bold women who have changed the trajectory of history in their various industries. The emblem on the chest emanates rays of sunshine, symbolizing power and strength, and the gradient on the side of the uniform represents the diversity of the Bay Area. Lastly, the uniform type face sources inspiration from the historic Art Deco landmarks in the Bay Area. The Golden State Warriors 2022-23 City Edition jersey was voted #1 best jersey in the NBA by the LA Times.[35]

In 2023 it was announced that Hueman had painted the hull are for Norwegian Cruise Line's ship, Norwegian Aqua, debuting in 2025. Hueman is the first female artist to be featured on the hull of an NCL ship. [36]

Style and influences

Allison Hueman's signature style includes bright colors and elements of abstract portraiture. Her work has been described as a product of "free association." "Drawing first abstractly and without a definite idea, she will return to the work several times and refine images she sees in the primary, elemental composition."[37]

The name Allison "Hueman" comes from the feelings she had after starting to paint murals for the first time. In a profile in Juxtapoz, she states,"I began painting murals after a dark period in my life when I felt like there was nothing left to lose, and when I painted big for the first time, it was like a light switch turned on. Once I got out of my studio and onto the street, I was using my entire body to paint, I was talking to people, I was collaborating, I was in the sun. I felt alive again. I literally felt human. That's where the name Hueman comes from."[38]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Landfall by Hueman. 1xRUN. 2015-09-13. 2014-09-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20140923035539/http://1xrun.com/runs/Landfall. live.
  2. Web site: Allison Torneros - Hueman Revolution. YAY!LA. 2014-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714174046/http://www.yaylamag.com/allison-torneros/. 2014-07-14. dead.
  3. News: Allison Torneros, Artist, Creates 'Time Machine' Series (Photos). Kelly. Tara. June 4, 2012. The Huffington Post. 28 May 2014. 14 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235756/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/04/allison-torneros-artist-time-machine_n_1568556.html. live.
  4. Web site: L.A. Taco interview with Allison "Hueman" Torneros. 2015-06-24. L.A. Taco. en-US. 2020-04-07. 2020-04-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407040436/https://www.lataco.com/allison-hueman-torneros-interview/. live.
  5. Web site: February 26, 2023 . Alan . Chazaro . Oakland artist makes bold statement with Warriors jersey . 2023-03-20 . Datebook . en-US . 2023-03-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321221929/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/art-exhibits/oakland-artist-golden-state-warriors-jersey-17791711 . live .
  6. Web site: The back story to that bouquet blooming over L.A.'s Arts District. Vankin. Deborah. 2017-06-23. Los Angeles Times. en-US. 2020-04-07. 2020-03-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20200324175216/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-cm-canvasing-city-hueman-mural-20170623-story.html. live.
  7. Hurts 2B Human. Pink. 2019. RCA Records.
  8. Web site: What Does It Mean To Be Human? Well, Ask Hueman. Green. Patrick. 2019-07-13. Character Media. en-US. 2020-04-07. 2019-07-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20190714124259/https://charactermedia.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human-well-ask-hueman/. live.
  9. Web site: Women street artists are focus of upcoming LALA Gallery exhibit. Los Angeles Times. 5 July 2013. 23 April 2014. 14 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714220416/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jul/05/entertainment/la-et-cm-daniel-lahoda-sidebar-women-20130707. live.
  10. Web site: Allison "Hueman" Torneros: The Mad Muralist. Dambrot. Shana Nys. 2014-05-14. LA Weekly. en-US. 2020-04-07. 2020-04-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407040130/https://www.laweekly.com/allison-hueman-torneros-the-mad-muralist/. live.
  11. Web site: Cirriculum Vitae. Hueman Nature. 2014-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518011639/http://huemannature.com/about-2/past-shows/. 2014-05-18. dead.
  12. Web site: r/IAmA - Comment by u/Huemantheartist on "Hey Reddit! I'm Hueman - Female Street Muralist/Fine Artist from Los Angeles, AMA!". reddit. en-US. 2020-04-07. 2023-04-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405234448/https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1xu9k0/hey_reddit_im_hueman_female_street_muralistfine/cfeousa/. live.
  13. Web site: Nike x Kobe Bryant. Complex Magazine.
  14. Web site: Openings: "Kobe Prelude Experience" @ Nike Vault. Arrested Motion. 2014-06-05. 2014-07-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714205048/http://arrestedmotion.com/2013/12/openings-kobe-prelude-experience-nike-vault/. live.
  15. Web site: Nike launches nine-week campaign showcasing Kobe Bryant portraits. Insidesocal.com. 10 December 2013. 23 April 2014. 14 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714120359/http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2013/12/10/nike-launches-nine-week-campaign-showcasing-kobe-bryant-portraits/. live.
  16. Web site: Revolt TV. Complex Magazine.
  17. Web site: Portfolio Review: Hueman Tells the Stories Behind Her Colorful, Fragmented Portraits. Complex Magazine.
  18. Web site: Allison "Hueman" Torneros's "Ritual" at Think Tank Gallery. Hi-Fructose. 10 July 2013. 28 April 2014. 14 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714204851/http://hifructose.com/2013/07/10/preview-allison-hueman-torneross-ritual-at-think-tank-gallery/. live.
  19. Web site: Recap: Allison "HUEMAN" Torneros Ritual Exhibition ~ Think Tank Gallery. LA Taco. 16 July 2013. 5 June 2014. 11 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140711092105/http://www.lataco.com/taco/allison-hueman-torneros-ritual-exhibition-recap. live.
  20. Web site: Being Hueman: Allison Torneros' New Mural in Los Angeles. Artslant. 2014-06-05. 2013-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20131005120358/http://www.artslant.com/la/articles/show/36442. live.
  21. Web site: Allison "Hueman" Torneros: The Mad Muralist. LA Weekly. 2014-05-22. 2014-05-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518165035/http://www.laweekly.com/publicspectacle/2014/05/14/allison-hueman-torneros-the-mad-muralist. live.
  22. Web site: L.A. Weekly People 2014. LA Weekly. 2014-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20140601111005/http://features.laweekly.com/people_2014/. 2014-06-01. dead.
  23. Web site: "Wander & Wayfare" Exhibit Celebrates Women Street Artists 7x7. www.7x7.com. 8 June 2015. 2015-09-13. 2015-09-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20150912225347/http://www.7x7.com/culture/wander-wayfare-exhibit-celebrates-women-street-artists#/0. live.
  24. Web site: Wander and Wayfare • Rocha Art. Rocha Art. 2015-09-13. 2015-09-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20150912151359/http://rochaart.com/wander-and-wayfare/. live.
  25. Web site: "Wander & Wayfare" opens May 29th • Rocha Art. Rocha Art. 2015-09-13. 2015-09-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20150912151021/http://rochaart.com/wander-wayfare-opens-may-29th/. live.
  26. Web site: PangeaSeed. PangeaSeed. 2015-09-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20151109061745/http://pangeaseed.org/sea-walls-murals-for-oceans-cozumel-2015/. 2015-11-09. dead.
  27. Web site: Ava DuVernay's Array is a place for women and filmmakers of color in L.A.. Faughnder. Ryan. 2019-10-01. Los Angeles Times. en-US. 2020-04-07. 2020-04-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20200404162825/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2019-10-01/array-alliance-ava-duvernay. live.
  28. Web site: Nike Honors Iconic '96 US Women's Team With New Hyperdunk 2016 Low. 2016-08-14. Nice Kicks. en-US. 2020-04-07. 2020-03-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20200317173602/https://www.nicekicks.com/interview-nike-honors-iconic-96-us-womens-team-new-hyperdunk-2016-low/. live.
  29. Web site: Artestar — Hueman x Forever 21. Artestar. en-US. 2020-04-07. 2020-04-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20200404104815/http://www.artestar.com/projects/huemanxforever21. live.
  30. Web site: Warriors Community Foundation and Chase Unveil Refurbished Court in Richmond. March 4, 2019. Golden State Warriors. en. 2020-04-07. 2020-03-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20200317180604/https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/court-refurbishment-20190304. live.
  31. Web site: Stephen Curry's New Shoe Is Inspired by a Refurbished Basketball Court in California. 2021-02-15. www.msn.com.
  32. Web site: 2020-12-10. Colorful Graffiti-Inspired Overlays Decorate the Curry 8 "Feel Good Flow". 2021-02-15. Hypebeast. 2021-04-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20210413051019/https://hypebeast.com/2020/12/curry-8-feel-good-flow-release-date. live.
  33. Web site: Julie . Drake . The Return of Pow! Wow! . 2022-07-08 . Antelope Valley Press . en . 2022-07-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708215149/https://www.avpress.com/news/local_news/the-return-of-pow-wow/article_899c3550-ecc6-11ea-a7d6-3f5213d2d863.html . live .
  34. Web site: Homebody . 2023-03-20 . HUEMAN . en-US . 2023-03-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321221929/http://www.huemannature.com/homebody . live.
  35. Web site: 2022-11-10 . Ranking the NBA City Edition jerseys: One team (not the Lakers) will wear a work of art . 2023-03-21 . Los Angeles Times . en-US . 2023-03-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321222116/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-11-10/nba-nike-city-edition-jerseys-lakers-clippers-warriors-uniforms-unveil . live .
  36. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/11/02/norwegian-cruise-lines-new-ship-aqua-to-set-sail-at-port-canaveral/
  37. Web site: "Shared Secrets" at Ian Ross Gallery. SFEnthusiast.com. 2014-04-23. 2014-04-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20140429012758/http://sfartenthusiast.com/2013/06/shared-secrets-at-ian-ross-gallery/. live.
  38. The Hueman Condition: A Wall-to-Wall Exploration of the Self. Farr. Kristin. September 2015. Juxtapoz.