Black muralists in Charlotte talk about the meaning behind their art around the city
Muralists adorn the walls of our city with expressions of protest, beauty, culture and identity. And they contribute to public conversations by making statements with a brush or a can.
As protests against the death of George Floyd and other Black Americans spread across the country, we talked to a handful of local muralists about what they want us to see when we visit their works. (These pieces are all outdoors, so you can appreciate art and avoid the risk of community spread of COVID-19 at the same time).
(1) “Charlotte Takeover”
Josh Henderson
Where to find it: Henderson’s piece can be seen in a few Charlotte spots, including on billboards, a newsstand in uptown at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets, on digital displays at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and on outdoor shopping displays in Ballantyne Village, Rea Farms and Waverly.
What it means: “It’s kind of a double-edged sword,” Henderson said. One goal is to announce himself to the Charlotte community: “Just me kind of showing that, ‘Hey, I’m here,’ ” Henderson said. Another element of this piece was Henderson’s effort to put his “best foot forward” and create art for a larger cause.
The original piece was created as a donation to a fundraiser for the Lórien Academy of the Arts, a program that aims to offer equitable access to art education in West Charlotte.
How to support: Henderson said support for artists during this time comes from providing funds, resources and understanding. “People knowing that you care is a big part of the support that Black artists can get,” Henderson said.
Henderson’s piece was selected for the 2020 program of ArtPop Street Gallery. ArtPop is an organization that spreads the work created by local artists throughout communities on billboards and other public spaces.
ArtPop founder Wendy Hickey encouraged Charlotteans to support these artists, if not by purchasing their work, then by sharing their work and increasing its visibility. “If you can’t buy, we get it,” Hickey said. “Share.”
(2) “Historic Brooklyn”
Abel Jackson (Art by Abel)
Where to find it: 229 S. Brevard St.
What it means: Jackson’s murals draw largely from Charlotte’s sense of history. On Instagram, Jackson wrote that this piece was in honor of the legacy of Brooklyn: “In this community there were great educators, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders who pulled their resources together in order to help uplift their community.”
How to support: Jackson told CharlotteFive major sources of support come from providing opportunities for artists to show their work and create new works. “With everything that’s going on… there is the opportunity to bridge the gap in regards to showing the experience as well as showing the history,” Jackson said.
(3) Untitled mural at Camp North End
Marcus Kiser
Where to find it: Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Ave.
What it means: As a Charlotte native, Kiser wanted to create something that honors his history in the area. “I just kind of wanted to show this innocent Black kid,” Kiser said. “He’s got this heart on his forehead to showcase his love for the area and the love for who he is… It’s kind of like this little reflection of myself.”
How to support: For Kiser, support comes from listening and educating. “Support for me comes in the form of understanding the issues, understanding where the work comes from, understanding that space that it comes from and understanding the history,” Kiser said.
Kiser’s other projects include works with Jason Woodberry, such as the Afrofuturist “Project LHAXX” at the Ackland Art Museum at UNC-Chapel Hill and the traveling exhibit “Intergalactic Soul.”
(4) “Elemetal Mural”
Georgie Nakima (Garden of Journey)
Where to find it: 1226 Central Ave.
This mural on the side of Salon 1226’s former building was featured in the 2018 Talking Walls festival. Nakima described this piece on Instagram as a “visual homage to all that is strength, resilience & womanhood.”
Nakima said this mural is less about a specific meaning and more about showcasing her voice and craft. “I really try to give a visual representation to Blackness and womanness,” she said.
How to support: Nakima said that support for Black businesses and local artists should continue after this period of protest. “I think it’s important that we just don’t wait until a global catastrophe happens to reach out to Black artists.”
(5) Manifest Future Mural Series
Georgie Nakima (Garden of Journey), Sloane Siobhan and Janelle Dunlap
Where to find it: 1635 W. Trade St.
“Embracing the vision of Afrofuturism, the goal of this project is to inspire the future presence of this historically black community while it is undergoing rapid gentrification. “Manifest Future” is an interactive community mural project that intends to influence and cultivate socio-economic mixing, community reinvestment and communal collaboration,” Nakima’s website states.
What it means: Nakima said this piece highlights the pillars of Black community.
“When you look into the scripts that are on it, I think it really relates to the pillars of every healthy community, but of course we wanted to be specific with that being in historic West End and that corridor,” Nakima said. “So we wanted it to also be culturally relevant to the neighbors that live there.”
Siobhan said some of the elements of the mural reference principles of Kwanzaa, such as unity, community and faith. Imagery in the mural is also inspired by Johnson C. Smith University, which provided funding for this project, along with the Knight Foundation.
(6) “Fly Girl!”
Sloane Siobhan
Where to find it: 121 W. Trade St.
“Fly girl, because despite the cards dealt, you can rise! So glad I could see my vision come to life in my home town. This one is for all the little black girls with big dreams and little means. Glass ceilings are only but so high, so fly over them,” Siobhan’s Instagram said.
How to support: Siobhan said one way to support artists is to order prints or provide donations through CashApp or Venmo. “That’s always appreciated because that can go a long way. That pays a bill or two.”
Siobhan moved from Charlotte to Las Vegas in January 2019. One form of support from businesses has come from giving artists the opportunity to create “mini murals” on buildings that have been boarded up before protests.
(7) “Strange Fruit”
Dammit Wesley
Where to find it: 345 N. College St., next to Spirit Square.
Wesley is the co-founder of the gallery and studio space BlkMrktClt. His mural, “Strange Fruit” was painted in 2018 and proves relevant today.
What it means: Wesley said the idea for the mural came from a desire for people to remember Charlotte’s long history of racial violence and segregation in the context of the opulence and wealth of uptown. “We still live in the South,” Wesley said.
The mural refers to the song “Strange Fruit,” performed notably by Nina Simone (1965) and Billie Holiday (1939), protesting the lynching of Black Americans in the South. “Just because people don’t use ropes anymore, it doesn’t mean that the lynchings aren’t happening,” Wesley said.
How to support: There are many ways to financially support Black artists, Wesley said. Supporters can make donations or purchase work. Businesses can help by commissioning muralists. But Wesley said businesses wanting to remain neutral or apolitical limits the opportunities available for himself and other Black artists. “As a Black artist, my existence is a political statement,” Wesley said.
When visiting these murals and snapping a photo, Wesley’s ask is simple: Cite your artist. “Artists benefit from people sharing their work abroad,” Wesley said. “So just keep our names in the conversation.”
Other artists show support
Charlotte muralists Alex DeLarge and Shane Pierce have dedicated murals to the cause, creating messages with paint:
(8) Mural at Abari Game Bar
Alex DeLarge
Where to find it: Abari Game Bar, 1721 N. Davidson St.
“For now let me remind anyone who drives past this wall, people are dying and these are some of their names. As an artist and painter, I’m obligated to remind those of you who have the privilege of ignoring these truths your American dream is built on a black reality,” DeLarge’s Instagram states.
(9) Mural at Two Scoops Creamery
Nony
“I was blessed with the opportunity to spread some love during this revolution. I stand with you now, as I always have. This is 2020 and BLACK LIVES MATTER as they always should have,” Nony’s Instagram states.
(10) CHANGE mural
“I stayed up late designing this to paint today. RIP George Floyd ... Your life spurred a revolution through out the world. It’s bringing millions together which are demanding CHANGE,” Pierce said on Instagram.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 3:50 PM.
