January 2012 started off with this mural located in the center of downtown Phoenix.
I was fortunate enough to be chosen out of a group of artists to paint this piece on 1st street between Washington and Adams.
As far as I know, this is the first large scale mural in downtown Phoenix in 25 years. The last large mural was painted by none other than Keith Haring back in the late 80's.
[Photo by Michael Nothum]
[Photo by Michael Nothum]
I think its a big step in the right direction for mural art in downtown Phoenix. With so many blank walls, this piece a breath of life for the downtown vicinity of sky scraper offices and banks
[Photo by Michael Nothum]
[Photo by Michael Nothum]
The politics and media of our cities, county and state seem to do a good job at portraying this as a place of ignorance and racism to the outside world.
This Phoenix bird represents the everyday people who live, work and just try to get by each day with the struggles of just being themselves. Its a symbol of strength that says consciously "RISE ABOVE" or elevate our own minds with knowledge, wisdom, focus and respect. Its meant to be all of us connected to one another, representing unification, beauty and love as a community and people, no matter what our background.
