Artwork Record
Images
![[Diversity of Life]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/pastperfectonline/images/museum_1393/019/thumbs/mu150.jpg)
![[Diversity of Life]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/pastperfectonline/images/museum_1393/019/thumbs/mu150-2.jpg)
Metadata
Title |
[Diversity of Life] |
Date |
2024 |
Object Name |
Mural |
Description |
The mural is celebrating the diversity of its student body, local wildlife, land marks, nature, and the variety of subjects taught and practiced at the school. First and second photos from artist Instagram @sergileto. Other photos by Jason Hayes. Robleto began his job by collecting written comments and talking with teachers, school staff, parents, and students about the message a mural should convey. "What do your children, if it could be in words, need to hear?... It’s about hearing them out and making sense of it visually," Robleto said. People had envisioned art that wove together themes tied to American history, local history and students along with the subjects taught in each of two buildings - math and science courses in one and classes in Sotomayor’s middle school program in the other - where the murals would be painted. Robleto used the information to create two renderings, but when he presented them to the students, they felt the mural had a Eurocentric vibe. "They said they would like to see more of the local history," Robleto recalled. "They wanted to highlight how beautiful it is in that area." Robleto said creating a mural comes with a responsibility because for it to be truly welcomed, it must reflect the community that will live with it. "Otherwise, it’s kind of invasive," he said. "It’s like coming into someone’s home and hanging a painting on their living room wall." Robleto started over and created designs featuring five ethnically diverse Sotomayor students. One mural includes three students, one playing the cello and two seniors looking to the future. The second mural includes an artist and a scientist. Intertwined in both murals are the mountains, the L.A. River, local wildlife, and native plants. The murals include a Chinese symbol representing persistence and the Nahualt symbol for movement. A figure found on the flag of the Gabrielino-Tongva indigenous people, who once populated the area, is part of one mural. The final designs "celebrate the diversity of students, nature in the area and a little bit of the history," Robleto said. The EastSider LA, "Beyond walls: Mural magic in Glassell Park" By Monica Rodriguez, May 14, 2024. https://www.theeastsiderla.com/education/beyond-walls-mural-magic-in-glassell-park/article_d4057908-1157-11ef-b911-73f979d749e5.html |
Catalog Number |
MU150 |
School Site # |
8577 |
School Name |
Sonia Sotomayor Art/Sciences Magnet |
Medium |
Acrylic Paint |
Artist |
Robleto, Sergio Daniel |
Role Artist |
Artist |
Collection |
School Buildings, Exteriors |
Related Publications |
The EastSider LA, "Beyond walls: Mural magic in Glassell Park" By Monica Rodriguez, May 14, 2024. https://www.theeastsiderla.com/education/beyond-walls-mural-magic-in-glassell-park/article_d4057908-1157-11ef-b911-73f979d749e5.html |