The mural is 10 feet high and stretches more than 7,800 feet along Crenshaw Avenue in central South LA. It features prominent images of Frederick Douglas, Harriett Tubman, Pastor Martin Luther King Jr. and a bunch of other heroes of the Black Community.
The artwork, known as “Our Great Contribution,” has been a powerful representation of African-American history and neighborhood pride since it was completed. established in 2002.
On Saturday, dozens of artists who have been involved in creating the painting for years gathered at the location between 49th and 51st streets for an event called “Pull Up at the Wall” to celebrate the whole history of the painting. mural and artwork update plan—currently fading and peeling—as part of the $100 million Destination Crenshaw project, a 1.3-mile monument to Black LA
The Crenshaw destination is expected to be completed by 2024.
Mark Steven Greenfield, 72, one of the first muralists, said: “I’m really excited that the wall will be preserved and updated. “I’m excited about the idea of new artists coming in and doing everything on it. Because our original vision was that the wall would grow over time. It’s like this community billboard.
Artists gather near a mural entitled “Our Great Contribution” in South Los Angeles on Saturday. Mark Steven Greenfield, 72, one of the first muralists, said: “I’m really excited that the wall will be preserved and updated.
(Astrid Kayembe/Los Angeles Times)
The wall was originally an oil painting for local graffiti artists but was later used by a group of artists, known as the Rocking the Nation Crew, who helped come up with the idea to highlight the history. Black leather with Crenshaw in the background.
Although the mural is still in the design phase, senior art and exhibition consultant Joy Simmons says its new version will feature celebrities from Black Hollywood and local icons. like the late Mayor Tom Bradley. It will also feature a description of a future Black LA
RTN member Eric “Cre8” Walker said the mural would be a “visual timeline, like a movie” about Black lives in Los Angeles. Construction of the observatory is expected to begin in a few weeks, and the artwork is expected to be completed by early fall.
The historic Negro neighborhood was starting to become more gentrified and with the upcoming arrival of the Crenshaw/LAX Metro Line, known as the K Line, Walker and Greenfield agreed to preserve as much of the history of the city. neighborhood as possible is increasingly important.
“We understand that with Metro, there’s going to be a makeover in this community… so I think the idea of this cultural footprint, in front of that kind of makeover is really valuable,” Greenfield said. “Maybe it will inspire newcomers to this neighborhood at some point to not only be proud, but creatively open themselves up about how we can add to the already established dialogue.” established many years ago.”
wall painting the project is part of an overall revitalization of the area and is located across from the pocket park on 50th Street. Launched in 2017, the project has involved hundreds of local residents and business owners. industry, and will display dozens of ordered artworks.
Among the participating artists are Alison Saar, Artis Lane, Brenna Youngblood and Kehinde Wiley, who painted the portrait of President Obama in 2018 for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery.
Aise Born, an artist, grew up admiring “Our Great Contribution.” Although he didn’t get a chance to do the mural, he is excited to work on a new version of it and hopes young Angelenos will be as inspired as he is.
“If someone doesn’t know themselves, they don’t know their culture,” he said. “Looking at this wall, it’s like you can look back to the past, present and future and have some inspiration towards life.”
