Examining the Legacy of Southeast Side Mural and Its Role in Hip-Hop Activism

Originally published on October , , the Murals and Mosaics newsletter contained the following valuable content. To receive it, kindly subscribe here.

Esteemed recipients, I extend my greetings to you this afternoon. Public Enemy, a renowned rap collective, possessed a musical style of great intricacy and depth that, according to one account, propelled them to become one of the most popular, provocative, and influential figures in late s and early s hip-hop culture. A Humboldt Park artist, who is widely known as Stef Ss, fondly recalls that she discovered their music during her adolescence and credits them for initiating her into the captivating realm of hip-hop music and the accompanying culture. Public Enemy’s profound lyrics and thought-provoking themes boldly tackled significant issues, such as racism and oppression, effectively challenging societal norms and pushing for social change.

Resisting authority and challenging mainstream media, Public Enemy also played a significant role in cultivating within Stef Ss an indomitable sense of activism and the ability to question established norms. This invaluable mindset transcends beyond the realm of hip-hop or music, permeating all facets of her life. Stef Ss firmly believes that Public Enemy has bestowed upon countless individuals this transformative gift. As a token of gratitude, she has reciprocated by creating a striking mural on the Southeast Side of Chicago. Located on a viaduct wall beneath the Chicago Skyway on Commercial Avenue, near rd Street, Stef Ss completed this masterpiece in September, not long after…

Public Enemy’s live performance in the Bronx served as a significant component of an event commemorating the th anniversary of hip-hop, known as the annual graffiti art gathering called Meeting of Styles. Witnessing their captivating performance, and recognizing the timeless relevance of their music, inspired an individual to create a tribute to the iconic group. This artistic homage takes the form of a mural incorporating various elements from Public Enemy’s renowned music video for their popular track Fight the Power, as well as a reimagined rendition of the album cover from their acclaimed release, titled It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The mural prominently showcases the esteemed members of the group: Chuck D and Flavor Flav.

In Stef Ss’ artwork, the pair has managed to escape confinement, leaving the barbed wire behind. Flavor Flav, donning his customary clock necklace, is depicted as a feline, skillfully painted by Stef Ss’ talented artist acquaintance, Lily Cursed, who resides in Mexico City but was recently visiting. The feline figure represents one of Lily’s distinctive characters, just as the female subject portrayed by Stef Ss, replacing Chuck D, showcases the artist’s name in the sunglasses. According to Stef Ss, this piece serves as both a homage to these individuals and an exploration of the relationship between a woman and her cat. It also touches on the concept of societal neglect towards discarded women, longing for recognition.

age you’re discarded…or an unmarried woman. However, we possess considerable influence as well…just a woman and her feline companion, content in their own right, they experience joy. It serves as a gesture of acknowledgment tods womanism, declares Stef Ss. We are also here to challenge the status quo…in support of the Black struggle, the immigrant struggle, and all other hardships faced. This captivating artwork takes center stage in this week’s feature article titled Murals and Mosaics by the Chicago Sun-Times. Kindly click here to delve deeper into the subject matter. The return of the Chicago Bulls to the basketball court has resulted in the team commissioning numerous fresh murals that coincide with their resurgence.

The artwork featured above, created by artist Kate Lewis, pertains to a specific theme of ‘future,’ which was chosen from a list of provided themes. As a result, each vignette within my mural corresponds to this concept. For instance, the portrayal of a young boy symbolizes his growth into a fully-fledged Bulls player. Additionally, the basketballs in motion depict an ongoing progression while the charging bull signifies a steadfast advancement. With dimensions of feet in height and feet in length, this remarkable piece is situated in the West Loop at . Notably, Lewis acknowledges the assistance of several artists in the creation of this mural, as she divides her time between Chicago and Florida.

The moral

In conclusion, the power of art to express and celebrate important social movements cannot be overstated. Murals and mosaics, like the ones commissioned by the Chicago Bulls, not only beautify our cities but also serve as a visual declaration of support for marginalized communities. By challenging the status quo and highlighting the struggles faced by the Black community, immigrants, and others, these artworks become powerful symbols of solidarity and resilience. They remind us that joy and acknowledgment are essential components of any movement for social change. To learn more about the impact of murals and mosaics in representing womanism and supporting various struggles, I highly recommend delving deeper into this week’s feature article by the Chicago Sun-Times.