Last Saturday , just as I am starting to walk up the stairs, a man comes up and says something like: “Whoever did this is with it – you know what I mean? You know them?” I say yes. And yet another interesting conversation starts. Somehow I had not seen him, was talking to my neighbor. He continues: “I have been sitting here and reading for a while. Each of the people comes alive in the short descriptions.” Exactly what I was hoping for. As artists we have a vision, with intentions & hopes, we work hard. And when the manifestation produces recognition in others we are surprised and happy in a way that is hard to describe. Like a child who is deeply absorbed in building with its blocks, and then when others discover her secret by exclaiming: that is a tower, how beautiful – she looks up in utter amazement.
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Two weeks ago , I took my brushes, cup of water, rag, and small glass container with dark grey house paint down to the sidewalk and started to paint calligraphy again on the mural. It had been 3 and half months since I last painted. I guess I needed a break. Now a little more than year later, I realize what a strong life of its own this work-in-progress of the 641 Garage BLM Memorial Mural has had, and still has. 2020 brought the global pandemic, sheltering-in-place, distancing from others, wearing masks, staying home, confusion, uncertainty, and so much death on all fronts. Then the video of George Floyd’s murder – the relentlessly cruel knee of a white police officer on a Black man’s neck for 9 and half minutes – went around the world like wildfire, and America broke into uprisings. Not marching on the streets, I wanted to put my “body” on the line somehow – trying to envision something more permanent than paper signs. These racist killings by police were not news to me; I had pa
Here is Karina: To begin , I want to give big thanks first of all to Bob Ng, my cello teacher par excellence. He is among other things also a life long art photographer. His beautiful black and white photos of the 641 Garage BLM Memorial Mural inspire me. Now is the time to try a new adventure and follow Bob’s suggestion to write a blog. Among other things an attempt to tell the unfolding story of this ongoing art project. A mural started on private property in public view, becoming collaboration, public art, dialogue, education, and expression of my life’s passions. Everything I’ve experienced in my life, have learned or undertaken has been flowing into this project. I am especially looking forward to introduce you to my wonderful collaborators. And I invite comments from you: my friends, contributors, neighbors, on-lookers, dog walkers, by-passers on foot, bike, regular or occasional. Or in cars to Tilden Park occasionally stopping to take a still and send it to Thailand or Italy
The Black Lives Matter Mural Project is located at 641 Euclid Avenue in Berkeley, California. It consists of two large panels painted on adjoining garage doors which document the names, dates, occupations, hobbies, livelihoods and manner of death for some of the many African Americans who have perished due to state violence and police brutality. The mural – started in June 2020 – is the inspiration of Karina Epperlein and is supervised by her. It is still in progress. Stills by Bob Ng