Untitled A - peach (hand-touched)

Mark Gonzales is an American artist and professional skateboarder best known for his profound contribution to the development of street skateboarding from the mid-1980s onward. Gonzales’ creative outlook is evident in his ability to perform inventive new tricks using the existing framework of urban architecture like handrails, stairs, and ledges. His artwork grew out of the same environment as his skateboarding and includes illustrating zines, which often have surreal and humorous characters, as well as producing and collaborating on projects with Harmony Korine and Spike Jonze. Born on June 1, 1968 in South Gate, CA, he began skateboarding by the age of 13 and formed the company Blind Skateboards in 1989. While pursuing his sporting career, the artist began drawing in his free time and created graphics for Krooked Skateboards.

His work was recently displayed at the Brooklyn Museum where 40 of his zines are featured in the show “Copy Machine Manifestos: Artists Who Make Zines” as well as ‘Coltureal Affairs’ at Franklin Parrasch Gallery curated by artist Rita Ackermann. He also recently closed a sold out exhibition at Rise Above Gallery in Osaka, Japan and at HVW8 Gallery Los Angeles. He lives and works in New York.