Gonzalo Jove

“Gonz” Jove, BA Fine Arts ’78, is a celebrated and internationally-known muralist whose works graced Southern Illinois University’s Art & Design Building, Better Family Life Cultural Center, Washington University, Brentwood City Hall, Ellis-Porter Riverside Park Jefferson City, Mo, Augusta Sculptural Walk Augusta GA. Christ Is TheRock Missionary Baptist Church in East St Louis, STL Soccer City Park, Universidad Mayor De San Andres, and other locations in Bolivia, where Jove was born. His keen eye for composition, detail and mathematics are apparent in all his works. Gonz became inspired by the election of the first indigenous president and returned to Bolivia, not only to complete various murals in public and private spaces but also to share his knowledge and passion with local artists. The Bolivian Department of Justice commissioned him to translate his painting “Usurpacion del Boliviano” to a mural (42’ x 10’) located in the main boulevard of La Paz. This extraordinarily political mural, inspired by Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco was labeled by a foreign correspondent as “Bolivian history in 5 minutes.” Today, Gonz is considered one of the foremost muralists in Bolivia. Since returning to St Louis Gonz has painted murals throughout the city on walls inside and outside and is in constant demand. His determination to tell accurate stories by doing intricate research is only surpassed by the range of subject matter he is commissioned to paint. “I prefer creating murals, because they tell stories. I love conducting research and learning more about humanity that way my murals tell the stories with intention”