AUSTIN, Texas — South by Southwest (SXSW) is known for panels, tech, film and music, but in recent years, the conference is bringing in more artists to create live art at various stages around town.
Alex “Donkeeboy” Roman Jr. is one of those artists. He was an official SXSW presenter and completed a small mural along with other muralists as part of the art element.
But Donkeeboy isn’t just in Austin to live paint – he hopes to bring some of his native Houston culture to the Capital City.
He and his two partners – David Anderson III, founder of The Heist Agency, and Carlos Buentello, founder of Mad Rabbits Riot Club – make up the organization “Extended FAM,” which stands for Extended Food, Art and Music. They're a pop-up-style art crew that brings food, art and music to other cities.
Donkeeboy started doing art full-time around 20 years ago. Moving from his native Houston to Los Angeles in 2007 for L.A.’s booming street-art scene, he would eventually return to Houston and establish a notable presence in the greater Houston area. His work has been displayed at Art Basel, Minute Maid Park and across cities like New York and Miami, at galleries and on buildings. Donkeeboy has partnered with every professional sports team in Houston on various creative projects.
Over the years, he has started collaborating with his mother, "Donkeemom" Sylvia Roman, and they have completed more than 65 murals together.
"I’ve heard stories from my students where they feel as if now they have a purpose because of the art that they’re making," he told KVUE when asked about why art plays such a big role in his life.
While this is his first year at SXSW, it most likely won’t be his last.
"Art is a way to communicate and meet people," he said. "It just unites people, brings people together."
You can see more of Donkeeboy's art on his Instagram page.