The Great Wall Institute is a SPARC program that focuses on expanding The Great Wall of Los Angeles mural to another half-mile inside the channel of Tujunga Wash, located in the San Fernando Valley. This expansion will consist of extended panels of mural paintings inspired by historical events and prominent figures of the 1960s through the 2010s. Under Judy Baca’s direction, I painted, illustrated, refined, and conceptualized elements throughout the 1960s and 1970s segments of the Great Wall mural.

After installing the panels at multiple sites, I assisted with painting the End of Jim Crow and the Farmworkers’ Movement for the 1960s segments of the wall.

“End of Jim Crow” of the Great Wall expansion

The “Farmworkers’ Movement” in progress, at LACMA

Adding color to the “Farmworkers’ Movement,” at LACMA

For the 1970s segment, I supported digital artists with researching and developing the concept and composition for “Wounded Knee.”

I conceptualized Angela Davis’ figure coming out of the FBI’s Most Wanted poster while researching relevant political prisoners to include in the mural. For the following segment, I drew the images of incarcerated firefighters in Mass Incarceration.

“Angela Davis and Mass Incarceration” (line drawing)

Detail of “Angela Davis and Mass Incarceration” (acrylic on panels)

I was then tasked with drawing and refining the background elements of the “Chicano Moratorium” segment.

“Chicano Moratorium” (acrylic on panels)

Detail of “Chicano Moratorium” (left side)

Detail of “Chicano Moratorium” (right side)

In the Anti-war Student Protests segments, I designed the San Fernando Valley State College and Kent State campuses, and drew the image of police officers breaking and entering, as well as the portraits of the four students whose lives were taken during the historical Kent State Shooting in 1970.

Segments shown: Partial of “Chicano Moratorium,” “Ruben Salazar,” and “Kent State”

Detail of San Fernando Valley State College Campus (acrylic on panels)

Detail of Kent State campus (acrylic on panels)

In the next panels, I primarily worked on multiple Asian American figures, notably refining Yuri Kochiyama’s portrait, and the mural on the right side of the International Hotel building.

I developed much of the composition and design for the Mural Movement of Los Angeles; I refined the buildings and murals of the Estrada Courts, Great Wall of Los Angeles, and Chicano Park. I also included Olvera Street, Dia de los Muertos’ marchers, Self Help Graphics’ building, and Karen Boccalero’s portrait.