Maurilio Tapia.

Working under the alias “StarStormTito”, the name stems from a culmination between a variety of influences: hip-hop, the digital world, and growing up as a Mexican-American. In hip-hop and music in general, artists often give themselves a stage or performance name, almost as an alter ego. “StarStorm” in particular, refers to an all-out attack within the “Mother” or “Earthbound” video games developed by Nintendo. “Tito” has been the affectionate nickname given to Maurilio as a child that continues to be present to this day. The combination of the three is pivotal in Maurilio’s daily life: The strong influence of hip-hop and its elements, the influence of Japanese and Asian cultures within his life, and the experience of growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American. In Maurilio’s work, the culmination and intersection between cultures serve as a catalyst in understanding the individuals, culture, and lifestyle that lie outside of the dominant culture. Art is historical; thus, Maurilio documents the life and times of a culture that is more than often left out of historical documentation.

Maurilio’s artwork has rarely been about himself. Graphic Design and the Fine Arts provide a means to empower and protect the rich cultures in which he is actively a participant. To brand is to provide an identity. By providing a new and fresh identity to those who do not have a method to receiving a representative identity, Maurilio not only strives to give others within the culture a sense of power and pride, but also enriches their expression as people of color and as active participants in today’s society.