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Living in Hollywood, a block off the Sunset Strip, it's far too easy to forget the other Los Angeles, with its intense pride and seething anger. This is actually the majority Los Angeles - but only in numbers, not in economic influence, or political power, in spite of our dynamic new mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. Like our only black mayor, Tom Bradley, he's an anomaly. Things are run by old white men. And the Hollywood machine that pumps out film and television and pop music is, for the most part, just not about these people. Up this way they're background noise - the maids and gardeners and kitchen workers.
Then something jumps out at you - the 2004 mural by Victor M. Quiñonez - who works under the name Marka 27 - on the southwest corner of Glendale and Colton, in the scruffy area just north of downtown Los Angeles.
From a profile of him -
Art was his way of conveying a message that reflected the issues he dealt with as a youth growing up in a drug infested neighborhood with violence and shootings every other night. Art was his outlet and way of life.
Marka 27 says, "It is a true subculture with a rich history and roots." He often paints images that challenge the viewers to ask questions about themselves. He tries to create a dialog between his work and the viewer hoping to evoke social consciousness within that individual.
According to Marka 27, art can bring empowerment to people within urban areas through compelling imagery of truth and awareness. "To paint a mural that depicts strength, aptitude, unity, and pride in one self is what I live for," he says. He has a strong passion for painting even if it's not on a wall, but his heart is with the people who struggle. The single mothers, unemployed, imprisoned, poverty stricken individuals who he sees everyday that still give themselves a reason to continue give him a reason to continue He thanks God for the ability to create on such a profound level.
It's the right neighborhood. Quiñonez was born in Juarez in 1977 and then lived in East Dallas for seventeen years. Then it was Boston - teaching art to fifth and six graders at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, and working with non-profit organizations in the area - Boston City Lights, BYCC, North Suffolk Mental Health, Boston Center for the Arts, Spontaneous Celebrations in Jamaica Plain, and The Cloud Foundation. And he had shows at galleries there (the link gives the details, and lists awards). You can visit his website, or elsewhere, check out his CV.
He gets Los Angeles.
Consider Cesar Chavez, Pancho Villa and Zapata - consider it all.
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