Unity
1 media/15-39.jpg 2021-04-05T20:24:01-07:00 Curtis Fletcher 3225f3b99ebb95ebd811595627293f68f680673e 38706 3 Roderick SykesLos Angeles, Harbor Freeway at Figueroa St. exit (closed)
1984 plain 2021-05-18T15:39:14-07:00 USC Digital Library 1984 (Artist) Sykes, Roderick 34.040427,-118.268852 Dunitz, Robin J. Curtis Fletcher 3225f3b99ebb95ebd811595627293f68f680673e
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2021-05-03T13:59:51-07:00
Unity
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Roderick Sykes
Los Angeles, Harbor Freeway at Figueroa St. exit (closed)
1984 plain 2021-05-18T16:02:05-07:00 1984 34.040427,-118.268852 Unity by Roderick Sykes is situated in Los Angeles which depicts a series of faces of an African American. It depicts the several faces in a chronological sequence of the growth of a young African American to a wise, hardened adult. On the panel besides it shows a more abstract expression of athletes and depictions of a face and eyes in the overall panel. Sykes’ use of warm, vibrant yet powerful shading shows the progression of the young African American from a place of youth to a position of power and knowledge. The serious eyes of the aged man show strength and resolve, as it stares towards the audience, as if to affirm its own position. This mural seems to build off the importance of education, achievement, and accomplishment with the middle face of the young African American seeming to bear a graduation cap formed from the geometric shapes above his head. While the panel alongside it is a geometric, abstract face with its eyes that shine upon athletes and other geometric shapes, resembling abstract expressionism in its mid-transition period depicting a powerful scene in which its eyes seem see and light forward into success and achievement such as the athletes shown. A path of enlightenment of which to tread upon.
Roderick Sykes would later, with this familiar style and powerful face depictions and forward facing positions, become part of the Neighborhood Pride Mural Project. Considered an extension of The Great Wall of Los Angeles, Sykes would go on to create many new community murals and hopeful murals across various multi-ethnic communities and neighborhoods. A program which united various ethnic groups and communities through mural artworks that sought to instill social power and pride within the communities that harkens back the Harlem Renaissance in which pride as well as celebrating achievement was a prominent theme.
Written by Jeffrey You, c/o '24
