Category: Street

Bring Back The Salmon (2019)

(2019) Commissioned public art mural, Art in Parks, Seattle WA.

 

Working together, Nahaan and I designed a native formline salmon, as a rain-activated, ground stencil. Working with the Office of Arts and Culture Art in Parks, we settled on Alki Beach Park as our project site. We used RainWorks to stencil a temporary non toxic clear coating which is only visible during Seattle’s rainy weather. The stencil design we created was roughly 4’ long and 2’ tall. This installation is meant to bring attention to the loss of native salmon in this region as a result of overfishing, dam’s blocking salmon runs and pollution. We possess the power to change the fate of the northwest salmon.
 

Abortion is Freedom (2019)

(2019) designed and hand painted poster

 

In anticapation of the LA Women’s March, Shout Your Abortion commissioned No Touching Ground and I to create this large two section poster to be displayed in Pershing Square nearby the start of the march. We designed and hand painted this work to fit perfectly into the media advert display case shown here. It is an unquestionable right that women have access to legal abortions and be able to choose for themselves what’s best for their body. Men and religious beliefs have no place imposing their expectations on any woman’s ability to make a choice.

 

photo NTG

XEIGAA LATSEEN (2019)

(2019) poster collaboration

 

Created with my best friend Nahaan. This poster speaks to the sad reality that indigenous women continue to be murdered and go missing. Inadequately investigated, this heartbreaking reality pulls at the backbone of culture and strength in native families, communities, and ceremonies. The words XEIGAA LATSEEN in Tlingit  translate to “TRUE POWER”, true power and wealth come from strong women.

 

Ol’Burgdishy (2018)

(2018) Commissioned public art mural, Seattle Center Sculpture Walk, Seattle WA.

 

For this mural I received a public art grant from the Office of Arts and Culture and Seattle Center Art Interruptions. Initially I wanted to work with a rain activated clear coating that would break down over the course of four months to a year and is biodegradable in the Seattle center fountain. I could not get clearance for the location, which kicked off a lengthy back and forth regarding what location could be used. Ultimately, we settled on the steps of the Key Arena and I got to work on a draft. The final design took into consideration the shape of space and how color would cascade down and direct the eye of the observer while traveling over the massive work. I painted the whole mural using rollers over the course of two days with the help of Taylor and Natan.

 

 

Natural Movement (2018)

(2018) New Mystics public installation located in Seattle’s Pioneer Square’s Nord alley.

 

Eight individually designed disks replaced the worn and in some cases damaged disks that have weathered summer and winter in the northwest for the last four years. Disk reads “THE BALD MAN IS WATCHING YOU”. Adhesive vinyl and acrylic paint, dimension 25” circle.

 

BASIC HUMAN NEEDS (2018)

(2018) Visual art poster, Seattle WA

 

In an effort to voice what to some might be viewed as overly idealistic. One must press ahead and put actions, thoughts and intentions into public space that support what we all understand as goals that can not be forgotten, let alone actually brought into reality for the survival and betterment of all humanity.

 

Daniel Covarrubias (2018)

(2018) designed and hand painted poster

 

The family of Daniel gave their blessings for No Touching Ground and I to create this portrait. De Escalate Washington acted as an intermediary between us and the family as we worked to create this memorial. NTG painted the portrait and I the text. Daniel, the proud father of seven, had been dealing with mental health issues and drug use before being murdered by Tacoma police. Daniel was unarmed when police shot him. This is another example of police killing a person experiencing mental distress. Death could have been avoided if a properly experienced social health response team could have responded instead of unprepared police. No officers have been charged in the murder of Daniel.

 

Photo NTG

Charleena Lyles (2018)

(2018) designed and hand painted poster

 

With the blessings of the family, and working with De Escalate Washington, No Touching Ground and I painted this portrait of Charleena Lyles. NTG painted the portrait and I the text. Charleena was murdered by Seattle police officers during a call made by Charleena regarding a burglary in her home. Although Charleena had dealt with mental instability there is no excuse for this loss of life. Police responses with death and excessive force to routine calls happen far too often. Defund the police and divert those funds to humain social/community based services that are better equipped to respond to the needs of vulnerable communities.

 

Photo NTG

Rent Control (2017) film

(2017) video, with New Mystics collective

 

Collaboration between Wizdumb (beats/rhymes), DK Pan (video/editing), No Touching Ground (helping hands) and myself. The location and color choice of this poster aimed to confuse viewers into thinking this was an officially sanctioned message provided by 7/11 management.

 

Photo DK Pan

WE ARE (2017)

(2017) poster collaboration

 

Collaboration between myself and No Touching Ground. This poster reads WE ARE ONLY AS HEALTHY AS THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US. With this imagery we are saying, we as a society must recognise the form that addiction takes around us, we can not dismiss the epidemic of over prescribed opioids in America. At the same time, we must lift up those most vulnerable, support these humans, give them the dignity of not only a safe place to come to terms with this addiction, but the resources and support to find a new path. Safe Injection sites are the first step towards a better path.