User:Itvaldezzz/sandbox

Ricardo Levins Morales
Ricardo Levins Morales is a Puerto Rican artist, healer, and organizer. He is known for his work that represents the ongoing problems in society; oppression and discrimination. He uses his art to express and showcase such issues, social justice is the main topic in his inspiring work. He wants his artwork to put out messages and try to get the people who do not have a voice of their own to be heard. Morales also owns his own art studio in Minneapolis.


 * Website: https://www.rlmartstudio.com/


 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricardolevinsmorales/


 * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rlmartstudio/

Life and education
His parents grew up in New York City but decided to move to Puerto Rico in 1950. Ricardo Levins Morales was born in Puerto Rico but then later on moved to Chicago with his family in 1967. He became fascinated and was drawn to activism in that same year. Ricardo attended Kenwood public high school but dropped out in 1971. He moved out of the house when he was fifteen and a few years later decided to move out of Chicago with his girlfriend at the time. They broke up and Morales decided to go to Boston around 1973. He was tired of moving around and finally decided to move to Minneapolis and got a job as a janitor there. Morales worked in various productions and later he began to use his art as a movement. He was part of many organizations such as Black Panther and so much more.

Career
He now owns his own art studio in Minneapolis where his art is displayed, including this most popular poster of the teen Trayvon Martin that got fatally shot by police. People can actually buy some things in his shop like posters, pins, shirts, and so much more. Each art piece he creates tells a story and tries to reach out to society. He hopes young activists get inspired by his work. For 50+ years he has been bringing up and talking about social issues in his artwork. Morales also spends his time hosting workshops on trauma and resilience for organizers.

Achievements
2004: Morales won the award, Outstanding Artist of the Year, La Prensa de Minnesota

2006:He won the Equilibrium Tribute, Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis which is for artists who have “blazed trails and helped build community in the arts”

2007: Won the Special Performance Award, International Labor Communications Association. It honors achievement in the field of labor media.

2008: Received the National Calendar Award (Gold), Calendar Marketing Association

2009: Received the Joe Hill Award, Labor Heritage Foundation. This honors the successful integration of arts and culture in the labor movement.

2010: Got awarded the Art is a Hammer Award, Center for the Study of Political Graphics.

2019: Morales opened up his first ever exhibition on October 5th.

Gallery
https://www.rlmartstudio.com/browse-art/