The Art of Hector Cademartori

By Keith May
(Originally appeared in Cycle World magazine)  


Some of Cycle World magazine's most enduring design elements are the illustrations by Hector Cademartori that have accompanied the Hotshots and Service sections each issue for almost 30 years. Often humorous, sometimes formal, technically precise and endearingly whimsical, each is meticulously rendered by Hector using traditional drawing methods polished since childhood. They show a pride of craftsmanship surpassed only by Hector's eternal optimism and boundless enthusiasm for the subject matter.

Born in Buenos Aires, where Fangio is a household name, Hector was deeply influenced by racing icons like Gurney, Stewart, Rodriquez, Hill, Surtees and, of course, anything Ferrari (half of Argentina's population is of Italian descent). The racing scenes exploding out of young Hector's sketchpads delighted schoolmates and set his career path.

After high school Hector began selling his art professionally and signed on at CORSA magazine where he was placed in charge of the motorcycle section. In 1972 he purchased his first motorcycle, a 1928 Harley-Davidson. Not ideal for beginners and ridden only briefly before moving on to a 1949 Royal Enfield 500 and then to a 1952 Triumph. At the time, imports were closed in Argentina and options were limited to Fifties-era British or Italian bikes, or the local two-strokes.

Hector moved to the United States in 1983, where his automotive artistry found a ready audience. Clients have included the Automobile Club of America, California Speedway, Indianapolis Raceway, Laguna Seca Raceway, Honda, Kawasaki, Toyota, NHRA, TRD, Dan Gurney's All American Racers and Yamaha, among many other companies and individuals. In 1987, he began contributing to Cycle World and the rest is history.

“My heart remains with motorcycles, which provided my first assignments and the opportunity to begin my professional life in America, where I live in LaVerne, California, with my wife Florencia and three children, Eduardo, Florencia and Mercedes,” says Hector proudly in his charming South American English.

Hector's work can be found in galleries, living rooms, boardrooms and garages around the world.