“Tell her the story,” Sarahí Rodriguez says to her brother, Julián, pointing to the stenciled poster of a two-headed person clad in a flower-studded rebozo — a riff on the famous statue of the Aztec deity Cōātlīcue in Mexico City.
The poster, which Julián made, is based on fights the two used to have as kids. The siblings turned a childhood of constant brawls into a mature and peaceful relationship, one that eventually transformed into a business partnership. They run a community art business called 4Life in Bayview-Hunters Point.
“We would fight and get into it, you know, hurting each other, physically or emotionally or verbally,” said Sarahí. “But then after a while, once we grew up, we became best friends.”
The two were born 16 months apart, finish each other’s sentences and have each other’s backs. Sarahí was the one to get Julián to apply for the Shipyard Trust of the Arts residency program in Hunters Point, known as STAR, which provides studio space to local artists.
Julián has taken full advantage of the 18-month residency: He’s taken workshops with other Shipyard artists, designed clothes for a fashion show, experimented with different types of art styles, and participated in homegrown art events like the annual Lover’s Lane festival on Balmy Alley.
The two started 4Life in 2022, and have distinct roles in the business. Julián designs clothing, creates elaborate wood-block and stencil designs for printing, creates comics and uses the dumpsters in the back alley to practice his stencil skills.
“I’m telling you, I have so many plans,” Julián said, leafing through the pages of his sketchbook.
Sarahí handles the logistics; working out business deals with organizations that commission art, communicating with clients, and getting the two out on the streets and selling merchandise. She also, unofficially, serves as Julián’s hypewoman.
Among the organizations that have commissioned Julián’s work is Calle 24, the organization behind San Francisco’s Latino cultural district.
Sarahí gushes about her brother, describing him as “a real artist.”
“He stays up all night working on his art. I’m in bed by nine,” she said.
“My brother, he’s hella nice,” adds Sarahí. “Sometimes that kindness could be taken advantage of. I just really like making sure he’s feeling heard. We balance each other out.”
“You gotta be a hustler out here,” said Julián. “I’m kind of shy. That’s why I do art. That’s how I communicate. But you have to make connections and be outgoing. It inspires me to get out of my shell.”
The siblings describe themselves as “hugely political.” Growing up in Bayview, the two have seen how politics can directly affect a community.
“You know, it’s not the best,” said Sarahí, of the local infrastructure. “When you compare it to other neighborhoods, especially like the Westside, Sunset and Richmond, they’re mad clean. No freeways. I mean, there has to be a place for industry and all that, but people live here, too.”
Bayview’s industrial history showed the two the importance of sourcing materials ethically. On their table sat three tubes of vintage-looking blue Do-A-Dot bottles, which Julián said came from his grandmother. He said he planned to reuse the ink in them for an upcoming project.
“We really try to find out how much we can use before we throw something away,” said Sarahí.
Julian breaks in: “If we’re going to exploit someone, let’s exploit ourselves, at least. We signed up to do this, and we’re passionate about it.”
Having grown up in the city, the two understand how to hustle. But they also try to connect and serve the communities they love by bringing free books and clothes to pop-up events.
“There’s more to hustle than just making a dollar, you know,” said Sarahí.
Sarahí and Julián, I am so proud of you and the work that you are doing in the Bayview community. I see that the art and your political work are both based on the love you have for each other, and the for your neighborhood. I can see your 6th faces in your adult ones. It makes my heart happy to see the incredible adults that you have become.
I love life stories of hardship to success but not losing caring and compassion for the community. Great story!!!