Artists across Los Angeles have painted memorial murals in honor of those who have left a lasting impact on the community. From those that many are familiar with such as Ermias Asghedom, professionally known as Nipsey Hussle, and Kobe Bryant to regular citizens in the Los Angeles area that were loved and adored, memorial murals are dedicated to individuals who have passed away and inspired others. The surrounding area of a memorial mural typically becomes an area of mourning and remembrance where people bring candles, balloons, gifts, and even portraits of the individual. Whether it be family members, friends, or locals, people gather in a peaceful manner around the mural to show their respects to a lost soul.
The City of Angels lost the iconic Hussle and Bryant within the span of ten months. Hussle died on March 31, 2019 after being shot in front of his Marathon Clothing Store, and Bryant along with his daughter Giannna died on January 26, 2020 in a helicopter crash. Hussle was not only a successful rap artist, but he was also a well-known community activist who invested in redefining the community in which he grew up. He advocated for STEM programs and had plans to build a STEM center in Los Angeles known as “
Too Big to Fail.” [1] As a result, the community is reciprocating Hussle's investment in the city and paying homage to his legacy through elaborate murals (fig.1). On the other hand, Bryant, who was arguably the best player in basketball for over a decade, was influential to many across all ages. The strong work ethic that he advocated for encouraged many to reach for the stars because, as stated by Bryant, “If you are afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail.”[2] Hundreds of murals have been painted in honor of Bryant, the former Los Angeles Lakers star, and Gianna, his 13-year-old daughter better known as Gigi (fig.2). The lasting mark that these two African American men left on millions of people is demonstrated by memorial murals in which they are both illustrated (fig.3).
Although many people are aware of memorial murals made for famous people because of the amount of media coverage they receive, there are many memorial murals in Los Angeles that commemorate regular citizens. Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old African American girl, was shot by a Korean grocer on March 16, 1991, after she grabbed a $1.79 bottle of orange juice and put it in her backpack.[3] However, two weeks before her death, a video had surfaced showing Rodney King being brutally beaten by Los Angeles police officers, imagery that would dominate national news and overshadow Harlins’ death in the months that followed. Thirty years later, her family advocated for a mural on what could have been Harlins’ 45th birthday.[4] The family’s efforts were successful and, in 2021, a painting of Latasha Harlins was completed on the front of Algin Sutton Recreation Center (fig.4).
Increasingly, memorial murals are being used as a way to reimagine activism.[5] Due to the great size of memorial murals, they are highly visible and accessible for the community. They can be effective tools to protest traumatic deaths of figures such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, or even people who receive very little coverage such as Latasha Harlins. In a similar fashion to modern day protest posters, memorial murals symbolize a bigger purpose. Police brutality and systemic racism are problems that need to be addressed in the United States, and some memorial murals serve as a constant reminder of that harsh reality. Despite the fact that activists and protestors eventually go home, a memorial mural will stay in its place and be seen by a majority of those that pass it.
Notes
1. “Los Angeles Cements Nipsey Hussle's Legacy,”
Billboard, Accessed April 8, 2021, https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8507161/nipsey-hussle-murals-artwork-basketball -court.
2. “Kobe Bryant Remembered in Murals,”
USA Today, Accessed April 9, 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/sports/nba/lakers/2021/01/22/kobe-bryant-murals-fill-los-angeles-landscape-following-his-death/4218700001/
3. “The Killing of Latasha Harlins was 30 years ago,”
Los Angeles Times, Accessed April 10, 2021, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-17/latasha-harlins-memorial-playground-black-lives-matter-south-los-angeles.
4. “Latasha Harlins' Name Sparked an L.A. Movement,”
Los Angeles Times, Accessed April 8, 2021, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-01/latasha-harlins-memorial-south-central.
5. “Gone but Not Forgotten: Memorial Murals,”
University of Toronto Press, Accessed April 11, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3138/j.ctt9qh983.19
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