I can't get enough graffiti in Richmond, VA!
During a mothers day walk with my parents, I came across these beauties on Leigh St.
I was very curious about who the artists are, so I turned to the all mighty internet, and found them! 😎
Ron English
Immediately striking was Ron English's robust concoction of imagery.
Starting on the left we see demonic beasts in clown make up. One is chowing down on a steak while the other is leering over a modernize Betty Boop.
In the center, commanding your attention, is a classic Ron piece. The pudgy yellow man with exposed skeleton is clearly reminiscent of the Walmart “Have A Nice Day” smiley-face. However the body brings to mind the commercialized "Happy Buddha". An interesting juxtapose to say the least.
To the immediate right an alien bunny(?) rides a four-legged hand grenade while carrying a lighted torch (arguably America's favorite symbol of justice). She seems to be leading the charge into some kind of battle.
And finally, on the far right, is a plump burger boy with a large President Trump-esq face.
If the burger boy is meant to depict Trump, I couldn't be posting it at a better time. See The Washington Post's latest headline (5/30/18):
Trump, fast-food lover and exercise avoider, tells nation about importance of fitness - Washington Post
Political or not, I think we can all agree that Ron's mural is striking.
As revealed in an interview with R. Anthony Harris from RVA Mag -
[the mural] is yet another of his over 100 modified interpretations of Pablo Picasso’s legendary Guernica
For anyone else not immediately familiar with Guernica (like me) I have added Wikipedia's image below.
Personally I don't see the resemblance but, as my sister reminds me, I did not go to art school. 😳
Smithe One
On the other side is a softer, more mystical piece, reminiscent of Hindu gods.
This mural was painted by Smithe One, a Mexico native who traveled all the way here to participate in the 2014 Richmond Mural Project.
I love the vibes from this lion deity, the detail is so unusual and extreme it really draws me in.
I found this guy brooding under the lion, I imagine him thinking --
"Hey man, can you get off already?"
I hope you enjoyed this mini photo shoot and if you're still curious I encourage you to pay Richmond a visit! Thanks for reading~
Yearning for more? Check out my last post on the Graffiti of Richmond: