Sidewalk Activism

“The street has long been a site for unmediated political commentary. From calls to save the environment to in-depth criticism of local and national politics, artists acting upon their convictions have successfully empowered, motivated, and challenged important social, political, and environmental ideas forward in the best venue they know—the street. This is especially true in Southern California where the street is a continuous site for political engagement and debate.

Throughout history, the public square has been a site where a collective identity is formed. From demonstrations to holidays, it’s an important and historic place for local communities. In the modern era, graffiti and street artists have enthusiastically contributed their analysis in this venue. Their art forms serve as a vehicle for sharing a point of view from folks who often feel voiceless, which early modern graffiti writers emphasized in writing their name in public spaces. This strategy has since expanded to broader messages that utilize emotion, beauty, humor, or the manipulation of media to engage larger audiences. This exhibition has therefore been divided into three sections: The Power of the Media, The Power of Humor, and The Power of Emotion and Beauty. From commissioned public art projects to messages scratched on the side of a building, these artists are either reinforcing, educating, or challenging belief systems—a unique form of politicking that is perhaps more powerful than we realize.”
—Curator G. James Daichendt

Dr. G. James Daichendt is a professor of art history at Point Loma Nazarene University. Daichendt has written several books on street art and graffiti including biographies featuring Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf, and an upcoming 2020 publication featuring Robbie Conal. He has been dubbed Professor Street Art and regularly writes art criticism for several local and national publications. View Daichendt’s TEDx Talk on street art here.

Featured Artists:

1. Robbie Conal, various street posters, 1986–2019, 77" x 120".

2. Shepard Fairey, Noise & Lies, 2020. Paint and screen print on paper, 120" x 197". Courtesy of Shepard Fairey / ObeyGiant.com

3. DYSE ONE, Liberty, 2020. Wood and spray paint, 73.5" x 49.5".

4. Gloria Muriel, Ojo de Dios - Sikuli, 2016. Acrylic on wood panel with eight extended dowels and weaved yarn, 80" x 80".

5. Marissa Quinn, Reawaken, 2020. Pen, ink, and gold leaf on paper, 47" x 63.5".

6. Artwork by David Flores, 72" x 139" (full installation).

7. MDMN, It Is Time, Created for this exhibition in 2020. Spray paint and acrylic, 120" x 122" (mural), 36" x 36" (inset canvas).

8. Shepard Fairey, God Saves and Satan Invests, 2014. Silkscreen on wood panel, Edition 2/6, 18" x 24". Courtesy of Shepard Fairey/obeygiant.com.

9. Shepard Fairey, America's Savings, 2016. Silkscreen on wood panel, Edition 6/6, 18" x 24". Courtesy of Shepard Fairey/obeygiant.com

10. Shepard Fairey, Knowledge + Action, 2020. Silkscreen on wood panel, Edition 1/6, 18" x 24". Courtesy of Shepard Fairey/obeygiant.com.

11. Shepard Fairey, Paint It Black (Brush), 2014. Silkscreen on wood panel, Edition 6/6, 18" x 24". Courtesy of Shepard Fairey/obeygiant.com.

12. Mike Giant, Shoot Back, Original created in 2017. Permanent marker, 105" x 102".

13. Bobby Ruiz, Sitting in the Park, Barrio Logan, San Diego, 2011. Photography on aluminum, 40" x 60".

14. WRDSMTH, Of the Essence, Created for this exhibition in 2020. Spray paint, 120" x 99".

15. GANE, Oceanview, 2020. Acrylic paint, spray paint, and collage, 73" x 152".

16. BRISK ONE, Iron Man in the Clouds, Created for this exhibition in 2020. Spray paint and house paint on canvas, 60" x 180".

17. Morley, What Doesn’t Kill You May Convince You You’re Invincible, Created for this exhibition in 2020. Paint on paper, spray paint, and wheat paste, 120" x 96".

18. Persue, Church Ave, 2019. Acrylic on canvas, 36" x 48".

19. BunnyKitty, More v.2, 2020. Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24".

20. Bryan Snyder, Surfing Madonna, collaboration with Mark Patterson, 2011. Acrylic latex dripped on canvas, 60" x 48".

21. Bert, Acrylic latex and spray paint on canvas, 2013
Right to left, top to bottom:

Jenga the Crown, the Other Falls Down, 30" x 24".
John John's Expression Session, 30" x 24".
Donavon's Movember Mustache, 30" x 24".
Jordy Redeems in Rio, 24" x 24".
ASP Execs. See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, 24" x 30".
Taj Burrow–The Biggest Grom on Tour, 24" x 24".
Kai Otton’s Big Catch in Portugal, 24" x 30".
The Air Heard Around the World, 24" x 18".
Mick 86es Medina in France, 24" x 30".

22. Robbie Conal, The Cabinet of Horrors, 2017–2019. Oil and acrylic paint on archival illustration board. Which Hunt, 64" x 44". All others, 40.5" x 30.5".

23. Mr. KOOK, KOOK Pole, 2020. Telephone pole and steel letters, 143" tall.

24. Plastic Jesus, American Excess, Created for this exhibition in 2020. Mixed media, 49" x 96" x 48".

25. Kai, Love vs. Money, 2019. Fiberglass, steel, cement base, and wooden crate, 80" x 24.5" x 17".

26. Kai, Cement reliefs, various dates.
Right to left, top to bottom:

Hamster Wheel, 14" x 16".
Trapped, 15.5" x 13.5".
Consumerism, 15.5" x 13.5".
Who's the Master?, 13.5" x 11.5".
Uprooted, 5" x 13".
All You Need is Love, 11.5" x 13.5".
Made for Peace With Love, 13" x 11".
Untitled, 12.5" x 14.5".
How the Rich Get Richer, 12" x 14".
Pleasure is All Mine, 14" x 12".
A Little Love Can Stop a Lot of Hatred, 14" x 16".
Life, 15.5" x 13.5".

27. Kai, Together We Can, 2020. Mixed media, 36" diameter.

28. Erik “A.N.T.I.” Caudillo, Beyond the Words, 2020. Spray paint on canvas, 48" x 48".

29. Gregory Auerbach, Street Signs, 2020. Spray paint on aluminum, 18" x 12" each.

30. Mr. KOOK, KOOK Sign, 2020. Steel letters and paint.

31. Teachr, Help Each Other, 2020. Spray paint on metal street sign, 48" x 48".

32. Marissa Quinn, Eumetopias Jubatus (Cyclical Biophilia), 2015. Pen and ink on paper, 47" x 63.5".

33. Christopher Konecki and Carly Ealey, Drop in the Ocean, Created for this exhibition in 2020. House paint, spray paint, and wood.

34. VYAL ONE, Native Asylum Seekers, 2020. Mixed media, 48" x 36".

35. Katie Ruiz, Bound, Not Broken, 2020. Rope, puff balls, shell, and wire, 70" x 12" x 7".

36. Shark Toof, Qinru (Trespass), 2018. Spray paint on sewn canvas tarp, found chain link fence, 90" x 90". Courtesy of Shark Toof Studios.

37. Katie Ruiz, Silent Warrior, 2020. Rope, yarn skeins, puff balls, and wire, 79" x 20" x 16".

38. Gloria Muriel, Queen Maya. Acrylic on canvas, 49" x 49".

39. Channin Fulton, Someone, 2020. Letterpress, 13.5" x 21.5" (top), 21.5" x 21.5" (bottom). Special thanks to Morgan Miller II.

40. Brett Crawford, A Tug of War Between We and Me, Mural created for this exhibition in 2020. Spray paint, moulding paste, and acrylic, 41.5" x 65.5" (canvas), 144" x 83" (mural)

41. Celeste Byers and Aaron Glasson, Aquí Ahora, 2014. Acrylic and gouache on panel, 48" x 78".