Shephard Fairey’s “Defend Dignity” Mural Has Been Restored
“Defend Dignity” restored and shining it’s light on South Park
Our landmark mural “Defend Dignity” has been restored and is once again shining its light on the neighborhood! The recent restoration work was promoted by Warren Brand of LA’s Branded Arts. Mr. Brand has been responsible for many murals throughout Los Angeles, including the famous Kobe Bryant mural on Hope Street and the installation of “Defend Dignity” in 2019. Having put together the team that resulted in the initial installation of Mr. Fairey’s work in 2019, Brand promoted the recent restoration by structuring financing from The Social District BID and Mr. Rafael Javaheri of the South Park Creative LLC/Ecotex, owner of the building graced by the mural.
The physical restoration work was completed over a recent week by Shepard Fairey’s Assistant Ron Zagula and his crew. More than a simple clean-up, the work comprised of a complete reapplication of all its vibrant colors from top to bottom as well as a final clear-coat protective layer that should make the installation a more permanent addition to South Park.
I think it is important to consider what we have here. “Defend Dignity” was envisioned by Shepard Fairey, who has been described by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston as one of the best known and most influential street artists in the world. His work is included in the collections of The Smithsonian, Los Angeles Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art in NYC, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and the Victora and Albert Museum in London, to name just a few.
His iconic black and white graphic, “OBEY”, has become a phenomenon popping up all over the world as an anti-Orwellian symbol. In 2008, Fairey created a series of posters supporting Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign for president. One of these posters with Obama’s likeness and the word “Hope”, soon became one of the most memorable symbols of his successful candidacy. Mr. Fairey, who is a resident of Los Angeles, continues to be a prolific artist supporting many activist and political issues. You will find his murals throughout the City of Los Angeles and many other cities nationally and world-wide.
Mr. Fairley created “Defend Dignity” based on a poster he prepared for the first Women’s March in early 2017. Following the Women’s March, he wanted to further develop its themes and created the huge mural (the largest he has ever attempted) incorporating the phrases “Welcome Visitors”, “The American Dream”, “People Power”, and “Fragile with the stunning depiction of a portrait of Maribel Valdez Gonzales by San Antonio photographer Arlene Mejorado. Ms. Gonzales is a San Antonio educator born to Mexican migrant parents who, to Fairey, represented the struggles of immigrants and their relationship to the United States. The final mural was completed on November 8, 2019 and has been a symbol of our community since that time.
See link: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vMrbQACiV/
Discussions are currently being held to install better lighting and video cameras at the site. It is wonderful that we now have our mural back in its full splendor and we are reminded of the importance of protecting the mural and the concepts it represents for years to come.
By: John Nilsson