Alejandro González, better known as Mono González, knows the history of graffiti and muralism in Chile better than anyone. He was one of the founding members of the BRP (Ramona Parra Brigade) under Salvador Allende’s government, taking an active part in the 1969 election campaign by covering the walls of towns, villages and roads with large murals that illustrated, in few words and images, the ideas of the Popular Unity Program. The idea of taking over the walls and using them as a means of expression was born out of a lack of financial resources. Only the street was accessible to militant artists. He is currently Scenographer at the University of Chile’s School of Theater, and has produced sets for several Chilean films, including Ricardo Larrain’s La Frontera and Andrés Wood’s Machuca. In addition to teaching street graphics workshops, he travels the world to pass on his experience and knowledge at urban art events, without ever stopping painting in the street.
Artwork description
Le Regard is a continuation of Mono Gonzalez’s artistic approach. His work is charged with Latin American energy, particularly evident in its vibrant, vivid color palette. As with each of Mono Gonzalez’s murals for MU, the artist makes a point of choosing colors from available paint pots, with a view to recycling and saving money.
Advocating a participatory approach, Mono Gonzalez was assisted by Julian Palma and Rocio Perez.