ASEND
Luis David Ramirez aka Asend, Next Level alum, (Chicago, IL) is a Chicago-based artist with over two decades of experience in fine art and large-scale mural production in both public and private sectors. His influences are rooted in Chicago’s graffiti scene that spanned the city during the 1990s, and the 17th-century Baroque painting. Asend brings an extensive mastery of color and composition to large scale murals and oil paintings, interior design, and sculpture. Notable projects include Chicago's largest mural located off the Kennedy Expressway; oil painting for the Chicago White Sox’s team captain and 2020 Major League Baseball MVP, Jose Abreu; and oil painting for Lamborghini’s 60-year Celebration. Notable awards and achievements include: the 2023 Individual Artist Grant by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE); the 2022 Artist in Residence for Next Level USA, in Manama, Bahrain; the 2019 winner of Hotel Chicago’s Mural competition; and 2019 Judge Panelist for the Chicago Architecture Biennial. He served as an aerosol artist-educator for Next Level Aerosol Edition in Manama, Bahrain.
Asend was on Next Level Team Bahrain as part of the Next Level Aerosol Edition and will be on Next Level Team Uruguay.