Marka 27 was born Victor M Quiñonez in Juarez Mexico 1977. After living in East Dallas for seventeen years paying dues as an artist and urban art writer, he painted freights on the regular.

Marka 27's work began to evolve in Dallas naturally because of his surroundings. Art was his way of conveying a message that reflected the issues he dealt with as a youth growing up in a drug infested neighborhood with violence and shootings every other night. Art was his outlet and way of life. Marka 27 says, "It is a true subculture with a rich history and roots." He often paints images that challenge the viewers to ask questions about themselves. He tries to create a dialog between his work and the viewer hoping to evoke social consciousness within that individual.

According to Marka 27, art can bring empowerment to people within urban areas through compelling imagery of truth and awareness. "To paint a mural that depicts strength, aptitude, unity, and pride in one self is what I live for," he says. He has a strong passion for painting even if it's not on a wall, but his heart is with the people who struggle. The single mothers, unemployed, imprisoned, poverty stricken individuals who he sees everyday that still give themselves a reason to continue give him a reason to continue He thanks God for the ability to create on such a profound level.

As for community outreach, he was teaching art to fifth and six graders at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School. He has also worked with a few non-profit organizations in the Boston area as an art instructor or mentor, Boston City Lights, B.Y.C.C., North Suffolk Mental Health, Boston Center for the Arts, Spontaneous Celebrations in Jamaica Plain, and The Cloud Foundation. His work has been shown at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, S.M.F.A Grossman Gallery Boston, Boston Center For the Arts Gallery, Cambridge Center for Adult Education, Harvard Square, Orange County center for contemporary art, Copley Society, Boston, 33 1/3 Books and Gallery L.A, Crewest gallery Alhambra C.A, Union 237 gallery Philly, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. He was also the recipient of the Remiss award for 2002, and received an honorable mention from the Stephen D. Paine award 2002.

www.marka27.com