Monuments: We Carry the Dreams
December 2018
Off the Wall: Atlanta’s Civil Rights & Social Justice Journey
Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee & WonderRoot
Location: 170 Piedmont Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Artist Statement:
The background of this mural includes the waving American flag—the imposing red and white stripes are symbols to which everyone in this country can relate, with a plethora of emotions. As a student, I grew up pledging allegiance to the flag, reciting words that spoke of liberty and justice for all. I believed it—at least until I began to transition into adulthood and began to feel rejected by the country I call home. The symbol of the American flag and anything associated with it has become bittersweet. To this day, the sound of the National Anthem shakes me and often brings tears to my eyes—I can feel it in my heart, a strange melancholic mixture of pride and anger.
My intent was to have the symbols of the American flag and the Monarch butterfly, which I painted hovering over the shoulder of each person, draw the viewer to the mural and invite them to make a more intimate connection. Once pulled into the mural, I hoped the viewer would invest time reading the courageous statements made by the diverse group of undocumented young adults, during our one-on-one conversations. I recorded the conversations, transcribed them, and selected the phrases I felt captured the resilience and courage demonstrated by each person's story—the words behind the faces in the mural are their words; I didn't change them. I chose to position these unfiltered words in an embracing manner around the portraits. I included the direct quotes to ensure that the meaning of the mural was defined by the individuals actually represented – a technique to assert their own narrative. I wanted them to speak for themselves.
I felt like I had to be very intentional about using my work to provide a space for people to share their stories in their own words, rather than me being the one telling their stories. I may be the artist—the one who is creating—but I want to be a vehicle for others to share their power, their courage, and their joy, without making them poster children for my thoughts.