Gabriela Alemán (born c. 1995),[1] also known online as Smug Morenita, is an American visual artist and illustrator. She is a self-taught artist who creates comic-styled pop art that depicts Latinx culture and iconography.[2]
Biography
Alemán was born and raised in San Francisco, California, U.S..[2] She is a self-identified queer woman and a first-generation American.[3] She is the daughter of immigrants from Nicaragua and El Salvador.[4][5][6] Alemán grew up in the Mission District of San Francisco, where her family was once evicted from their home during the "early dot-com boom".[1]
Career
In 2019, Alemán helped to design and create the artwork for the Loteria cards passed out during the #MissionLoteria initiative in San Francisco.[7] On December 14, 2019 Alemán was one of the artists featured at the 6th annual multidisciplinary exhibition at the Acción Latina’s Juan R. Fuentes Gallery.[8] On February 5, 2020, Alemán was featured at the Galería de La Raza with the opening of the exhibit titled In The Name Of…?.[2] In addition to being an artist, Gabriela Alemán is also a community organizer and activist.[9] At 26 years old, Alemán co-founds the Mission Meals Coalition in order to provide fresh ingredients and meals to those in need.[9] Alemán and her sisters created the coalition during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[9] They started out by delivering meals and groceries but now manage a community fridge providing free ingredients.[9] The Mission Meals Coalition does not receive any government funding and is kept running by donations and volunteers.[9] Donated items are inspected carefully and determined as safe to eat.[9] Alemán also makes sure that many of the groceries offered are widely accepted by the Latinx community.[9] Alemán is also the co-president of Latin@ Young Democrats of San Francisco and acted as a part time campaign manager for Gabriela López.[4] She has also worked as a Calle 24 council member, and a Chavalos de Aqui y Allá board member.[10]
Works
During the 2019 #MissionLoteria initiative in San Francisco, Alemán worked alongside artist Ivan C. Lopez, and Valeria Olguín to design Loteria cards.[7]
In 2019, Alemán's artwork was featured at the 6th annual multidisciplinary exhibition at the Acción Latina’s Juan R. Fuentes Gallery.[8]
Alemán's artwork was featured at the Galería de La Raza with the opening of the exhibit titled In The Name Of…?.[2]
Some of Alemán's artwork is featured on the website for The Center for Cultural Power.[11]
In 2019, Alemán did an illustration for a magazine published by El Tecolote.[12]
On January 14, 2019, Alemán's artwork was on view at The Ramp Gallery.[13]
