Los Angeles earns its nickname “the mural capital of the world” with thousands of murals. These murals often mirror social and political movements. They showcase cultural symbols of Southern California. The murals on west side stand as vibrant storytellers.
From 2002 to 2013, Los Angeles had a moratorium on new murals. This ban stemmed from legal battles over commercial advertising. LA Ordinance No 182706 lifted the ban. It is now known as the mural ordinance. The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs manages mural registration. Organizations like the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles help preserve and document these artworks.
Many early Los Angeles murals have vanished due to weathering and urban development. The New Deal in the 1930s funded many murals in Los Angeles. These murals often depicted rural scenes and immigration. Mexican muralism heavily influenced them. Some murals faced being painted over due to their political themes. Myer Shaffer’s “The Social Aspects of Tuberculosis” met this fate because of its communist themes.
Through the 1980s, regulations on signage blurred the lines between murals and ads. Some advertisers tried to pass off commercials as murals. Lawsuits from advertisers claimed unfair restrictions on commercial speech. In 2013, LA Ordinance No 182706 allowed for new non-commercial murals.
Since its settlement by pobladores from New Spain, Los Angeles art has been heavily influenced by Mexico. Mexican refugees like David Alfaro Siqueiros contributed early murals. Siqueiros’s “América Tropical” is his only American mural in its original location. It once faced being painted over due to its anti-imperialist message.
The Chicano movement inspired many murals. Labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta often appear. The Aztec eagle is another common symbol. Religious identity, mainly Catholicism, also appears as a major theme. Judy Baca organized a citywide mural program in 1974. This led to hundreds of murals. Baca also founded the Social and Public Art Resource Center. This center supports mural development and restoration.
Sports icons are commonly seen in murals. The Los Angeles Marathon has commissioned roadside murals since 1986. Murals also represent the Olympics. For the 1984 Summer Olympics, ten murals lined freeways. Caltrans later “hibernated” these murals for restoration. Kobe Bryant’s death in 2020 led to many murals. These murals became a tourist attraction.
Venice is the epicenter of Westside public art. Law enforcement allows for it more than surrounding wealthy areas. Gentrified street art thrives on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Hippie artistry flows through the pieces. Gang graffiti is rare and looks out of place. Neighborhood-specific art proudly displays the Venice zip code.
Jonas Never’s Venice mural is prominent. It creates a sense of being transported to a new area. Jules Muck’s “Calihustle” adds local personality. Bumblebee Loves You’s “Beach Ball Boy” is tasteful. David Flores’ “Nelson Mandela Peace Dove” has different meanings at different times of day.
The murals on west side capture Los Angeles’s spirit. They represent its history and evolving identity. They offer a unique perspective on this dynamic city.