Luis “Suave” Gonzalez is a Philadelphia artist and activist who uses acrylics and mixed media to craft pop-style imagery, collages, and murals that address themes of social justice. He spent thirty-one years in prison, and since his release has served as a TED Talk presenter, a Reimagining Reentry Fellow through Mural Arts Phila- delphia, an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, and cohost of the podcast Death by Incarceration. For more insight into Suave’s work, find him on Instagram: @the_mad_artist_chunky_papi.
Artist’s Statement
Inspired by the DA’s lived experience with the justice system and his mission of reforming the system in San Francisco, I created a lifelike portrait of Chesa Boudin.
