SPARC Presents Painting in the River of Angels: Judy Baca and the Great Wall

In a groundbreaking move, Judy Baca has transformed a museum into an art studio for the first time in her career. Collaborating with artists from the Social and Public Art Resource Center, she expanded The Great Wall of Los Angeles into the 21st century by painting two sections of the mural at LACMA. The LACMA exhibition showcases murals from the 1960s that depict the Chicano Movement, Watts Renaissance, and previously unseen archival materials. This exhibition not only reveals Baca's innovative approach to muralism but also sheds light on her creative process.

Baca's original vision for The Great Wall, conceived in 1975, was to create a monumental tribute to the people of California. The mural captures moments from prehistoric times to the 1950s and was brought to life through collaboration with 400 young individuals and community members. They collectively designed and painted the mural along the walls of the L.A. River, offering a unique perspective on history from the standpoint of those often overlooked. After completing the paintings at LACMA, these artworks will be integrated into The Great Wall, extending it to create a mile-long visual history.

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