CHICAGO _ The Chicago Bulls unveiled a new mural on the exterior of the Advocate Center recently, featuring the words "Black Lives Matter" large enough for everyone passing West Madison Street to see.
The artwork, which hangs alongside the team's six championship banners and retired numbers, includes a few pieces of Bulls history, including a 1996 championship shirt and '97 championship ring.
The mural was created by artist Langston Allston, who currently is based in New Orleans but still has connections and family in Chicago that bring him back frequently. During a phone interview with the Chicago Tribune, Allston discussed his process for creating this mural, his involvement in the Movement for Black Lives through artwork and using art as a tool for optimism even as he struggles to remain optimistic. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
