New Liberty Station mural shares spirit of San Diego and Tijuana through tattoos

Tattoos are finding their way off skin, onto murals, and into the public’s imagination.

Skin art is the theme of local Mexican-American artist Enrique “Chikle” Lugo’s latest mural, titled “Estación Libertad” (Liberty Station), which was commissioned by Arts District Liberty Station and is located by The Lot and Dance Place.

Expected to be completed in September, Lugo’s mural honors the shared spirit of San Diego-Tijuana through the visual language of American traditional tattooing. Using imagery, Lugo’s work is a visual representation of the borderlands rooted in resilience, migration and, most of all, imagination.

Lugo’s mural-in-progress is Arts District Liberty Station’s latest entry in its Installations at the Station Program, and is a component of the station’s Art in Public Places Program. The program features site-specific temporary public art enriching the visitor experience across the former Naval base’s 100 park-like acres.

By directly commissioning regional and local artists, the program fosters creative talent and expands artistic opportunities while transforming daily strolls into moments of discovery, community connection and accessible art engagement for all.

Of his commitment to art, Lugo noted, “I started drawing as a little kid; I always wanted to be an artist.”

Lugo noted he’s crossed the border his entire life, which has influenced his style.

Asked about his muse, Lugo answered: “Cartoons, more than anything else, illustrations from the tattoo culture. One of my cousins showed me a tattoo magazine at an early age, and I fell in love with the art form. I’m a big fan.”

Regarding transforming tattoos into art, Lugo said he wanted to “connect space with community” by tying “history together with tattoos.” He noted, “Tattoos are made to celebrate and document a moment in time, something a person wants to hold close to them. That’s the direction I took.”

Lugo described the tattoos he’s worked with as “simple images” that would be identifiable to most, especially those familiar with military-style skin art and its patterns. “They have bold lines, simple colors that stand the test of time,” he added of his tattoos.

It was important for Lugo to invite the public into his latest mural’s creation. “I wanted to involve the community in its production and installation,” he said, adding he had over 60 volunteers participate. “I outlined it, gave them a direction, and then they took it to another level.”

Asked what advice he’d give to aspiring muralists, Lugo said: “Go for it. Put your art out there in galleries around town, exhibit your work at events. Don’t put limits on your work. If you’re creative and have ideas – you are an artist.”