Mural Fest

BIK ISMO

Puerto Rico

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2018
TAL Realty
1122 Central Ave SW, West Downtown

2017
Sidetrack Brewing Company
413 2nd Ave SW, Downtown

Maddox Realty
515 Central Ave NE, EDo

Joshua Santos Rivera, also known under the pseudonyms of "Bik", "Ismo" and "Bik-Ismo" was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico in 1981. The distinctive symbol of this urban artist is the toaster.

Joshua has worked as a graffiti artist for 16 years, which has allowed him to belong to prestigious urban arts groups, among them The Nasty Boys(TNB) and Masters at Destruction(MAD). At 19 he was invited to join the FX group, which was considered one of the best groups of urban art at that time, worldwide.

Among his achievements are being the artist who organized the first exhibition of graffiti on canvas in Puerto Rico, entitled "Virtuosos of Aerosol (Enlaces Gallery, San Juan, PR, 2002), and be the first to organize an exhibition of urban art in Puerto Rico, entitled "Exhibition" (Enlaces Gallery, San Juan, PR, 2003). These exhibitions opened their doors to other urban artists so they could present their work in more formal settings.

Similarly, "Bik" achieved the distinction of being one of the students chosen by the School of Visual Arts in Puerto Rico to visit the Arco Fair in Madrid, Spain. Also, "Ismo" painted the largest mural in the Caribbean: A water tank (Caguas, Puerto Rico, 2008).

His art has transcended borders, making his art exhibit in countries such as Japan ( Lapnet Ship, Harayuku, Japan, 2005), Spain (La Casa Pintada, Linares, Spain), Italy (Foundation, Padova, Italy, 2009) and States United States (New York, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008). Also, Ismo has participated as a juror in street art events in and outside Puerto Rico. Among these is the Fifth Andalusian Graffiti Contest, held in Linares, Spain, the event "Xpress Your Skills", which promotes urban art among young Puerto Ricans, and "Snickers: Urbania" also from Puerto Rico.

Ismo also has excelled in the area of organization of street art events. These include the Fuego a la lata (2008 and 2009), which were attended by Belin (Spain), How-Nosm(Germany) and Tats Cru (New York). Among his upcoming plans include a trip to Israel for the event "Art 4 Israel" to be held in May, an event which was invited by the organizers, becoming the first Puerto Rican who is invited to it.