Jimmy Pons discovered his medium of choice during a holiday on the beaches of Spain.  He began to pick up the remnants of oil spills and oil tankers dumped at sea.  He picked up these sticky bits of tar which stuck to his feet and hands while others sunbathed.  When he went home to wash up with gasoline, he discovered that the "tar biscuits" ranged in color from creams to browns to black.  The colors inspired him to do something good with something so awful.

He began to paint what he refers to as "Petrol Art" under the name of Chapapoman which means tar in Spanish.  He combines geometric and primitive references within the colors of the tar to create a look which is very distinguishable from many of his contemporaries.  His paintings often refer back to nature in the shape of animal forms which contrasts greatly with his chosen medium.  These are the very animals that are so effected by the pollution of the beaches and oceans.  There is a wry sense of irony evoked in the viewer at the contrasting views of his paintings.

Chapapoman is what I would consider a true revolutionist.  Instead of fighting against pollution, irresponsible dumping and inadequate clean-up, he has taken this disgusting form of pollution and turned it into something positive. He has taken these cast offs and used them to point out the obvious -- that something must be done.

On occasion, his paintings feature oil wells spewing oil everywhere.  Work like this highlights a problem and encourages discussion.  Even if the paintings are not pleasing to every one's eye, they are thought provoking.  He has taken upcycling to a whole new level.  Chapapoman has taken something very negative and turned it into a positive!