Fabian Debora: Difference between revisions
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== Early Life == |
== Early Life == |
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Fabian was born in El Paso Texas to Mexican immigrant parents |
Fabian was born in El Paso Texas to Mexican immigrant parents.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/from-gangs-to-art-the-salvation-of-fabian-debora|title=From Gangs to Art: The Salvation of Fabian Debora|last=Hinch|first=Jim|date=2013-06-17|website=KCET|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> His family moved to the affordable housing projects in Boyle Heights, East L.A.Struggling with poverty, lack of resources, exposure to gang violence, and a father in and out of jail, Debora struggled with anger issues and used his art work as an outlet.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://imagejournal.org/article/4464/|title=A Spade is Not a Spade: The Art of Fabian Debora and the Mystery of Los Angeles|website=Image Journal|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> During his middle school years he attended Dolores Mission Catholic School, and was kicked out after lashing out at a teacher who ripped up his artwork in class.<ref name=":0" /> After this, Debora was sent to public school where exposure to gang-related activity increased.<ref name=":1" /> Deborah joined a gang at the age of 12 and at the same time what put on probation for truancy and spent time in juvenile hall around 5 different times for different reasons, one being carrying a firearm at school. <ref name=":1" /> |
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== East Los Angeles Gang Activity == |
== East Los Angeles Gang Activity == |
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After being forced to attend public school, Fabian joined a gang at the age of 12 |
After being forced to attend public school, Fabian joined a gang at the age of 12.<ref name=":1" /> Growing up in one of the most violent areas in Los Angeles, Fabian Debora began to graffiti tag around his neighbourhood at thirteen years old.<ref name=":1" /> Submerged in the streets of one of the most violent gangs in East LA, Debora joined one the gangs “which plagued the housing projects” that Debora’s family lived in. Fabian Debora acquired the gang name of “Spade." <ref name=":1" /> While in the East LA gang, Debora began to deal drugs as well as abuse them; gang activity marked the start of a battle with substance abuse. <ref name=":1" /> |
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== Substance Аbuse == |
== Substance Аbuse == |
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After joining a gang, Deborah began experimenting with drugs in high school. He began with Marijuana, but after smoking crack laced Marijuana he began smoking crack |
After joining a gang, Deborah began experimenting with drugs in high school. He began with Marijuana, but after smoking crack laced Marijuana he began smoking crack.<ref name=":1" /> Eventually, he became addicted to methamphetamines. <ref name=":1" /> The substance abused worsened his situation at home and his relationship with his mother. <ref name=":1" /> After threatening her on day, she reported it to the police, yet stated she just wanted him to get help for his drug problem.<ref name=":1" /> He participated in a one year rehabilitation program, yet failed to pass drug tests several times, leading to going back to jail. <ref name=":1" /> After attempting to commit suicide in 2006, Debora had a religious experience where he says he interacted with god. <ref name=":0" /> This led him to go to rehab again and has been sober every since, and went to school for drug counseling. He is now certified by the state of California to be a licensed drug counselor. <ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-fabian-debora-latinx-producers-action-network-school-arts-east-l/|title=Meet Fabian Debora of Latinx Producers Action Network School of the arts - Voyage LA Magazine {{!}} LA City Guide|last=Staff|first=VoyageLA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref><br /> |
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== Art == |
== Art == |
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Despite not having an MFA, Debora has the skills of a masterful painter |
Despite not having an MFA, Debora has the skills of a masterful painter.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lataco.com/fabian-debora-studio-visit/|title=Fabian Debora ~ Studio Visit|last=Recinos|first=Erwin|date=2012-02-08|website=L.A. TACO|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> He began using art as a form of self expression while in middle school by drawing during class in order to help him cope with living in the impoverished Boyle Heights housing projects with an absent father.<ref name=":3" /> When he joined a gang, he went unter the name “spade” and began to be a graffiti tagger. <ref name=":1" /> He used graffiti as well as a form of artistic expression and unknowingly was working on his craft.<ref name=":1" /> Once he was older, in between being in and out of jail, he became a tattoo artist, giving tattoos to get extra cash through his art.<ref name=":1" /> Fabian began painting murals throughout his community and since 1997 has produced over seven murals throughout the L.A. area and many more throughout various different cities. <ref name=":2" /> Eventually, Fabian mastered acrylic painting, which is the medium he uses for most of his work. Fabian studied under Vincent Valdez for three months, where he learned all techniques he needed to perfect his talent. <ref name=":1" /> Now, Fabian has won several awards for his art and is extremely reputable and famous in the Chicano community, and is currently trying to have his art recognized by mainstream culture. <ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/arts/theres-a-dtla-art-studio-with-a-backstory-worthy-of-an-hbo-series-5972907|title=There's a DTLA Art Studio With a Backstory Worthy of an HBO Series|last=Whittemore|first=Lisa|date=2015-08-31|website=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> |
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== Work == |
== Work == |
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After his spiritual awakening Debora went to Homeboy industries to get a job |
After his spiritual awakening Debora went to Homeboy industries to get a job. <ref name=":2" /> However, he realized that the facility was a lacking a drug counseling program which was integral to helping ex-gang members and others at risk get their life back on track.<ref name=":2" /> Fabian then went to Inner Coast College to become a drug counselor, and received the highest certification from the state. <ref name=":2" /> Debora took this back to homeboy industries and became the director of their drug counseling program and began teaching others the skills he had learned. <ref name=":2" /> In 2008, he met Sandra Quintana, the founder of Latino Producers Action Network (LPAN), who recruited him to use his art skills to better the community.<ref name=":2" />. LPAN gave him a studio and helped him focus on his career as an artist.<ref name=":2" /> With LPAN, Debora started “La Clase” art academy which focuses on art as a method of self expression, rehabilitation, and healing in order to give guidance for at risk youth and others struggling with gang culture, incarceration, and substance abuse.<ref name=":2" /> Fabian is now the Executive director at LPAN and a full time artist.<ref name=":2" /> |
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== Awareness == |
== Awareness == |
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Fabian’s passion for helping individuals get back on their feet after incarceration or being in the system sparked from his own experience |
Fabian’s passion for helping individuals get back on their feet after incarceration or being in the system sparked from his own experience.<ref name=":4" /> “Society states that once you do jail time, or pay your debt to society, you’re supposed to be welcomed to the community, but that’s not so true. I believe there are still systems of exclusion and oppression that exist, prohibiting people from reaching their fullest potential,” Fabian shares.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fabiandebora.com/|title=Fabian Debora Fine Arte – Reflecting Social Issues and Journeys Through Cultural Identity and Urban Aesthetics|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> When young, Debora felt constantly compared to others and humiliated.<ref name=":4" /> In school, Fabian did not have motivation because “the teachers didn’t have the tools to deal with this particular population of misguided, and traumatized youth." <ref name=":5" /> The government constantly threatened Fabian’s single mother in despair and poverty with fines if Fabian didn’t attend school, leading to more aggression and disappointment with the school system.<ref name=":4" /> |
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From personal experience of struggles with lack of resources for underrepresented individuals, Debora decided to make it his mission to educate youth like himself |
From personal experience of struggles with lack of resources for underrepresented individuals, Debora decided to make it his mission to educate youth like himself. <ref name=":4" /> Debora began teaching youth everything that he knows, and particularly on how to transform and find oneself through art.<ref name=":4" /> Through facilitating art workshops, holding conferences, and sharing his story, Fabian is inspiring youth. <ref name=":4" /> |
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== Awards and Recognition == |
== Awards and Recognition == |
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In 2011 Deborah was honored by the Belle Foundation for Cultural Development, Grantee, San Jose, Calif. |
In 2011 Deborah was honored by the Belle Foundation for Cultural Development, Grantee, San Jose, Calif. In 2007, Edward James Olmos awarded him a scholarship and featured Debora in a 2007 documentary called ''Voces de Cambio.'' <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://witnessla.com/the-life-saving-art-of-fabian-debora/|title=The Life-Saving Art of Fabian Debora {{!}}|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 19:13, 14 March 2019
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Fabian Debora
Fabian Debora, born in the United States to Mexican Immigrants in El Paso Tx November 11th 1975, is a Chicano artist based out of east L.A.. An ex- member of a violent gang, Debora suffered from substance abuse and depression through his early life. After going to jail and attempting suicide, Fabian used Art as a form of rehabilitation, going on to become one of the most prominent artists in the Chicano community. Most of his art work reflects his life growing up in Boyle Heights and is influenced by the Mexican American community and his Catholic faith.
Deborah went on to become a certified drug counselor at Homeboy Industries. However, Debora’s dream was to create a community in which underrepresented individuals have a chance to express themselves and heal through art and is now the Executive Director at the Latino Producers Action Network as a full time artist and arts facilitator, leading rehabilitation art workshops for at risk youth and adults.
Early Life
Fabian was born in El Paso Texas to Mexican immigrant parents.[1] His family moved to the affordable housing projects in Boyle Heights, East L.A.Struggling with poverty, lack of resources, exposure to gang violence, and a father in and out of jail, Debora struggled with anger issues and used his art work as an outlet.[2] During his middle school years he attended Dolores Mission Catholic School, and was kicked out after lashing out at a teacher who ripped up his artwork in class.[1] After this, Debora was sent to public school where exposure to gang-related activity increased.[2] Deborah joined a gang at the age of 12 and at the same time what put on probation for truancy and spent time in juvenile hall around 5 different times for different reasons, one being carrying a firearm at school. [2]
East Los Angeles Gang Activity
After being forced to attend public school, Fabian joined a gang at the age of 12.[2] Growing up in one of the most violent areas in Los Angeles, Fabian Debora began to graffiti tag around his neighbourhood at thirteen years old.[2] Submerged in the streets of one of the most violent gangs in East LA, Debora joined one the gangs “which plagued the housing projects” that Debora’s family lived in. Fabian Debora acquired the gang name of “Spade." [2] While in the East LA gang, Debora began to deal drugs as well as abuse them; gang activity marked the start of a battle with substance abuse. [2]
Substance Аbuse
After joining a gang, Deborah began experimenting with drugs in high school. He began with Marijuana, but after smoking crack laced Marijuana he began smoking crack.[2] Eventually, he became addicted to methamphetamines. [2] The substance abused worsened his situation at home and his relationship with his mother. [2] After threatening her on day, she reported it to the police, yet stated she just wanted him to get help for his drug problem.[2] He participated in a one year rehabilitation program, yet failed to pass drug tests several times, leading to going back to jail. [2] After attempting to commit suicide in 2006, Debora had a religious experience where he says he interacted with god. [1] This led him to go to rehab again and has been sober every since, and went to school for drug counseling. He is now certified by the state of California to be a licensed drug counselor. [3]
Art
Despite not having an MFA, Debora has the skills of a masterful painter.[4] He began using art as a form of self expression while in middle school by drawing during class in order to help him cope with living in the impoverished Boyle Heights housing projects with an absent father.[4] When he joined a gang, he went unter the name “spade” and began to be a graffiti tagger. [2] He used graffiti as well as a form of artistic expression and unknowingly was working on his craft.[2] Once he was older, in between being in and out of jail, he became a tattoo artist, giving tattoos to get extra cash through his art.[2] Fabian began painting murals throughout his community and since 1997 has produced over seven murals throughout the L.A. area and many more throughout various different cities. [3] Eventually, Fabian mastered acrylic painting, which is the medium he uses for most of his work. Fabian studied under Vincent Valdez for three months, where he learned all techniques he needed to perfect his talent. [2] Now, Fabian has won several awards for his art and is extremely reputable and famous in the Chicano community, and is currently trying to have his art recognized by mainstream culture. [5]
Work
After his spiritual awakening Debora went to Homeboy industries to get a job. [3] However, he realized that the facility was a lacking a drug counseling program which was integral to helping ex-gang members and others at risk get their life back on track.[3] Fabian then went to Inner Coast College to become a drug counselor, and received the highest certification from the state. [3] Debora took this back to homeboy industries and became the director of their drug counseling program and began teaching others the skills he had learned. [3] In 2008, he met Sandra Quintana, the founder of Latino Producers Action Network (LPAN), who recruited him to use his art skills to better the community.[3]. LPAN gave him a studio and helped him focus on his career as an artist.[3] With LPAN, Debora started “La Clase” art academy which focuses on art as a method of self expression, rehabilitation, and healing in order to give guidance for at risk youth and others struggling with gang culture, incarceration, and substance abuse.[3] Fabian is now the Executive director at LPAN and a full time artist.[3]
Awareness
Fabian’s passion for helping individuals get back on their feet after incarceration or being in the system sparked from his own experience.[5] “Society states that once you do jail time, or pay your debt to society, you’re supposed to be welcomed to the community, but that’s not so true. I believe there are still systems of exclusion and oppression that exist, prohibiting people from reaching their fullest potential,” Fabian shares.[6] When young, Debora felt constantly compared to others and humiliated.[5] In school, Fabian did not have motivation because “the teachers didn’t have the tools to deal with this particular population of misguided, and traumatized youth." [6] The government constantly threatened Fabian’s single mother in despair and poverty with fines if Fabian didn’t attend school, leading to more aggression and disappointment with the school system.[5]
From personal experience of struggles with lack of resources for underrepresented individuals, Debora decided to make it his mission to educate youth like himself. [5] Debora began teaching youth everything that he knows, and particularly on how to transform and find oneself through art.[5] Through facilitating art workshops, holding conferences, and sharing his story, Fabian is inspiring youth. [5]
Awards and Recognition
In 2011 Deborah was honored by the Belle Foundation for Cultural Development, Grantee, San Jose, Calif. In 2007, Edward James Olmos awarded him a scholarship and featured Debora in a 2007 documentary called Voces de Cambio. [7]
- ^ a b c Hinch, Jim (2013-06-17). "From Gangs to Art: The Salvation of Fabian Debora". KCET. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "A Spade is Not a Spade: The Art of Fabian Debora and the Mystery of Los Angeles". Image Journal. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Staff, VoyageLA. "Meet Fabian Debora of Latinx Producers Action Network School of the arts - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ a b Recinos, Erwin (2012-02-08). "Fabian Debora ~ Studio Visit". L.A. TACO. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g Whittemore, Lisa (2015-08-31). "There's a DTLA Art Studio With a Backstory Worthy of an HBO Series". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ a b "Fabian Debora Fine Arte – Reflecting Social Issues and Journeys Through Cultural Identity and Urban Aesthetics". Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ "The Life-Saving Art of Fabian Debora |". Retrieved 2019-03-14.