"King"
This mural is one of a series of murals commissioned by Branded Arts & Covered California, in 2018, as part of the "Covered in Art" project to promote health and wellness in communities across California and attract attention to locations across the state where individuals can enroll in health insurance, get care or participate in activities to foster better health. The MLK mural was designed to inspire reflection of the advancement of civil rights and Covered California's role in achieving equal access to health care. The "Covered in Art'' project is a living demonstration of the fact that healthcare is local and that Covered California is woven into the fabric of local communities.
"The Maya Angelou Mural"
This hand painted mural is one of 30 permanent works of art in collaboration with Branded Arts, the Los Angeles Unified School District, NASA )PL, Kith and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as part of the Maya Angelou Mural Festival. The portrait faces the 54th street side of the 9-acre school campus. It is a monument that honors the life & legacy of one of the most prolific poets & activists in black history and American history. Participating artists in the festival were challenged by students and the South Central community to create murals that fit within the cultural landscape of the community and the ideals of Dr. Maya Angelou.
"World’s Fastest:" The Major Taylor Mural
This five-story mural honors the life and legacy of Marshall “Major” Taylor, the first African American to win a world championship in any sport. Born Marshall Walter Taylor in 1878, he broke seven cycling world records and won a world championship during his career, overcoming racial prejudice nearly every pedal stroke along the way.
The mural-which is part of the Bicentennial Legends series, celebrating Indianapolis becoming a city-is located on the side of the Barnes and Thornburg law office on the corner of Washington and Meridian streets in downtown Indianapolis. It's near the site of the bike shop where a 12-year-old Taylor earned his famous nickname by performing cycling stunts outside the shop while wearing a military uniform. The top image represents a young Taylor, hopeful and ambitious, while the middle shows a man hardened by trials, but more determined than ever. The bottom image of Taylor on his bike is a nod to his record- and barrier-breaking career.
“Until We Meet Again:" The Oprah Winfrey Mural
This mural is a collaboration between Chicago's B_Line Projects, developers Lend Lease, The John Buck Company and Intercontinental Real Estate Corp, The City of Chicago's Department of Transportation, and artists Shawn Michael Warren, Anna Murphy, Jane Barthes, Kalan Strauss, and CERA. Measuring nearly an entire city block, the project stands as Chicago's largest mural. The piece pays homage to media mogul Oprah Winfrey, whose talk show and media empire (Harpo Studios) began in Chicago's West Loop, which was located less than half a mile from where the mural now stands.
After months of numerous design pitches to the client (Porte Apartments) and agreeing upon a final concept, the decision to use Oprah Winfrey's likeness for this public work of art required clearance from celebrity photographer, Mr. Ruven Afanador, Harpo Studios, Inc., and Ms. Winfrey, herself, who gave the final approval. Over the course of 3 months, the entire mural was executed with acrylic paint (both by hand, and spray) and required the use of scissor lifts, scaffolding and safety equipment, to ensure its completion and the safety of the artists and local pedestrians.
This project challenged the artists to work alongside one another, interwoven five distinctly different styles and techniques to develop an original, one-of-a-kind piece. Artist Shawn Michael Warren was tasked with painting the portrait of Oprah Winfrey, the majestic Magpie and the cloudscape within the mural. The project has received critical acclaim from local residents, tourists, media outlets (including ABC7, Yahoo News, and the Chicago Sun Times) and the muse of the mural, Oprah Winfrey. The mural is now a cultural landmark in the city of Chicago.
Bronzeville Community of the Future
In collaboration with Before it's Too Late, ComEd, Gallery Guichard, The South Side Community Art Center, and Little Black Pearl, Artists Shawn Michael Warren and Rahmaan "Statik" Barnes were tasked with designing and developing a permanent mural that reflected the history of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, as well as illustrating the importance surrounding climate change and how it affects the planet and its inhabitants. The final design reflects the ideas and visions of ComEd, members of the Bronzeville community and art students of Little Black Pearl Art & Design Academy, who also participated in the creation of the mural.
The 125-foot long mural was created in a studio, using parachute cloth and acrylic paints. Upon completion, the mural was permanently installed on a floating wall panel, engineered by Primera Engineers, using a clear coat adhesive called Nova Gel. The mural has also been augmented for virtual reality, by Before it's Too Late, which gives viewers the opportunity to further interact with the mural using their smartphone or tablet.
