Martin Luther King Jr. by Mural
Photographer Camilo José Vergara captures varying portrayals of the civil rights leader in urban areas across the United States
- By Jess Righthand
- Smithsonian.com, January 12, 2011
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(Camilo José Vergara)
Chicago (photographed 1980)
William Walker, the artist who painted this mural on the South Side of Chicago, was one of the only trained artists Vergara came across in his search for murals of King. Walker is perhaps best known for his 1967 “Wall of Respect,” a community mural (since demolished) that depicted heroic figures from African American history. In his art, Walker draws inspiration from Mexican muralists such as José Clemente Orozco and Diego Rivera.
Initially, this work provoked controversy over its religious symbolism. Many felt that because King was not actually crucified, he should not be depicted on the cross. Others supported the comparison because King died for the cause of his people. This mural has since been painted over.
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Comments (3)
"King is pictured here between jazz pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington and a local politician."
Incorrect. King is on the right.
Posted by Stephanie on January 16,2012 | 01:22 AM
A beautiful selection of murals honoring Martin Luther King. Here is another one:
http://www.vimeo.com/18855173
Posted by Lisa on January 16,2011 | 09:17 PM
On the upcoming occasion of the Martin Luther King Day of Service, one thing that can be done to honor Dr. King's legacy is ensuring that the Pentagon spend an adequate amount of money to recover the remains of our World War II missing in action, many of whom were African-Americans, such as the following MIA Tuskegee Airmen (courtesy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch): Lt. Albert L. Young, F/O Carl J. Woods, Lt. William F. Williams Jr., Lt.Sherman H. White Jr., Lt. James R. Polkinghorne, F/O Leland H. Pennington, Lt. Andrew D. Marshall, Captain Andrew Maples Jr., Lt. Oscar D. Hutton Jr., Lt. Wellington G. Irving, Lt. Fred L. Brewer Jr., Lt. John H. Chavis, Capt. Alfonzo W. Davis, Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson, Lt. Maurice V. Esters, Lt. Samuel J. Foreman, Lt. Frederick D. Funderburg Jr., Lt. Samuel Jefferson, Lt. Charles B. Johnson, and Lt. Samuel G. Leftenant. The Defense Department has historically treated its MIA remains recovery program like a neglected stepchild, requesting a level of funding that is nowhere near the amount needed to recover the remains of the tens of thousands still missing. Please support substantially increased funding for location and recovery of the remains of our heroic missing Tuskegee Airmen, and all the other missing soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Their families deserve nothing less.
Gary Zaetz
Project Homecoming
Posted by Gary Zaetz on January 16,2011 | 10:10 AM