Provoke Culture

19/12/2022

I’m still processing.

I did not know tWitch, yet his passing lingers for me. I think what has me trippin is he was always smiling so big, so full of life….creating a Tik Tok dance video just a few days ago!

And it scares me….scares and confuses me to be starkly reminded that someone can smile all the way to the darkest place possible.

As Shaun King said in his post, we need to throw away the stereotypes of what someone who is depressed or struggling or even suicidal looks and acts like. They can be sharp, fashionable, fly, with a million dollar smile. ⁣
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And we should operate under the assumption that EVERYBODY around us is struggling with SOMETHING. ⁣


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30/08/2022

SUMMERTIME UPDATE: BISC MURAL

Earlier this summer, Provoke Culture was commissioned by the British International School of Chicago - South Loop to create an outdoor mural to adorn their campus located at 161 W 9th St.

ARTIST SERGIO MACIEL of Provoke Culture worked closely with students enrolled in art classes to devise and paint the mural in time for the end of the school year.During the installation of the mural, two 12th grade students assisted Sergio in transferring patterns and applying base paint to the wall.

“Tree of Knowledge” reflects the institutional values of BISC:
education, unity, and diversity. These values are represented by the three differing birds sharing the branches of the same blossoming tree. The globe behind the tree reminds us our commitment towards our international community. Education is symbolized by stacked books and a blue easel like those worn by graduates of BISC. Lastly, a golden key hanging from a tree limb signifies the transformative potential for personal and community growth “unlocked” through knowledge.

The British International School of Chicago is a private international day-school located in the South Loop area of Chicago. BISC-SL offers education for ages 3 to 18. As an international campus located in Chicago, BISC strives to build a campus community which uplifts diverse experiences and identities while also fostering mutual respect and strength through unity.

23/08/2022

NEW MURAL UP IN 25th WARD

Provoke Culture is proud to partner with Luv City Media and the 25th Ward in the creation of a new public mural outside the Alderman's Office, located at 2100 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL.

ARTIST SERGIO MACIEL of Provoke Culture developed the design of the artwork over the course of several creative sessions with local youth of the 25th Ward communities. Titled, “Ice Cream Break,” the mural was inspired by the creative ideas expressed by students while enjoying ice cream inside one of the classrooms of Quiroga College.

The artwork depicts a city block party where a group has gathered in unity to celebrate through break dance. The group of individuals present is made up of multicultural characters that wear masks representing the different cultures and generations which populate the 25th Ward.

The participation of the youth in the ideation process was documented through a collaboration with Luv City's Dre Rodriguez and the 2022 Summer Institute student cohort.

Photos Courtesy of Luv City Media.

21/08/2022

WELCOME ELLOO & ALI SIX!

Provoke Culture is excited to welcome artists Elloo and Ali Six to the team. We can’t wait to share future projects from these two artists and look forward to working together.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Tatee Garcia, professionally known as Elloo, is an interdisciplinary artist born and raised in Pilsen. Elloo’s work is highly stylized and saturated: depicting adorable, brightly colored monsters experiencing love, fighting evils, and indulging in the sweet life. She draws inspiration for her work from life’s everyday moments and those around her, including family, people and pets. Through the fairy tale monster universe dubbed "Elloo’s World," the artist ultimately seeks to understand the world around her and those who inhabit it.

Nikko Locander, otherwise known as Ali Six, is a multimedia artist born and raised in Humboldt Park, Chicago. As a teenager, Ali Six expressed himself by painting the streets of Chicago, influencing his mature style, which draws heavily from his painting skills earned as a graffiti artist and his childhood love of cartoons. As a result, Nikko created his signature character, Richie the Raccoon, which is featured in a great number of his artworks. As an artist, Nikko aspires to enliven the streets of Chicago and around the world through murals.

10/02/2022

We are excited to share "This is Black History", a collaboration with the team at BRONDIHOUSE! Illustrator, Jenny Q aka Quirklynklyn, developed a set of coloring pages for an educational journey that will take students on a deeper adventure into Black History.

BRONDIHOUSE has developed educational programs to teach Black History throughout the year, and this month, they will provide lessons that go beyond what is typically shared during the month of February, to 5000+ students in the Chicagoland area.

Jenny RaQs collaborated with ShaRhonda Knott-Dawson to develop illustrations that were specific to the BRONDIHOUSE curriculum, which focuses on West African history and the diaspora.

Visit our website to learn more.

THIS IS BLACK HISTORY, 2022A COLLABORATION WITH BRONDIHOUSE ARTIST: JENNY Q Illustrator Jenny Q partnered with the team at BRONDIHOUSE to develop a set of coloring pages for an educational journey that will take students on a deeper adventure into Black History. BRONDIHOUSE has developed educatio...

27/11/2021

We are collaborating with the wonderful folks at for their holiday pop-up shop on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile! Original artworks by Sergio Maciel, Jenny Q, and Sam Kirk are available now through December 31st. In all my life of living in this wonderful city, I’ve never seen a shop like this on Michigan Avenue. Checalo! 605 N Michigan Avenue.

Props to Bobbie and David on the install.

27/11/2021

Just when we thought mural season was a wrap, Artist Anne Heisler , completed this beauty. This piece was created to welcome people to Humboldt Park Eatery, a shared kitchen space located on the edge of Chicago's Humboldt and Garfield Park neighborhoods. This area is home to a large African American and Puerto Rican community, but also includes mix of other Latinx cultures, and people of different ethnic backgrounds. Anne’s father & grandfather grew up here in the early-mid 1900’s when there were many Eastern European Jewish immigrants. Part of the goal for this mural was to represent a variety of cultures, to appreciate beauty of us all. The background is filled with green leaves in a pattern emanating out from the center in a geometric but natural way, cushioning the people in the background of the park itself.

11/11/2021

Today we unveiled a new mural created by in honor of Mexican American Military Veteran Manuel Perez JR. in collaboration with . It was an honor to create a piece that highlights the work of such an important figure in our history. Mural is located at 26th and Kolin in Chicago’s Little Village Neighborhood.

Sergio Maciel Artist Statement: “The artwork was inspired by Manuel Perez’s heroic actions at the Battle of Luzon which posthumously earned him the Medal of Honor. The concept of the mural is to create a large scale scrapbook that celebrates the courage of Manuel Perez JR. The piece takes you on a journey that starts with two airborne troopers running in front of an 11th airborne division patch honoring Manuel’s military background. The Aztec calendar sits next to an American flag which represents his Mexican American nationality. Then continuing on you see a portrait of Manuel Perez JR himself, and finally, the Medal of Honor lies on top of the flag of the Philippines depicting airborne troopers jumping from a C47 aircraft honoring the brave actions of Manuel Perez JR and where he earned his medal.”

10/11/2021

Close ups of a new mural recently completed by Anne Heisler in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. Final mural of the outdoor season! 🥶 Indoor murals are welcome 😁

28/09/2021

New installation of Sergio Maciel’s Environmental Justice artwork on Chicago’s Southeast side. The piece addresses issues of environmental and racial injustice happening in Chicago.
The stark difference in the quality of life that families on the north side of the city experience vs. the South side.

A collaboration with and the Southeast Environmental Taskforce.