“AKU” mural partnership between Micah Johnson, Will Bumpas and Kyle Holbrook at Sawubona, a co-working space where underrepresented artists and entrepreneurs can see themselves reflected and supported in a physical space on Venice Beach. Sawubona Offices- 155 Washington Blvd Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
International Executive Artist Kyle Holbrook in the Arts District Los Angelos, CA, USA 2021.
Kyle Holbrook selfie at KTLA News Coverage 2/18/21.
MLK Mural Project
〰️
MLK Mural Project 〰️
Mask Up LA Mural
Reminder to residents & Visitors to wear masks
What: a 8’ x 12’ Mural reminder to wear masks and bring attention to disabled Black Veterans during Black History Month.
When: February 18, 2021 @ 1pm Were: Arts District, 450 Seaton St.
Los Angelos, CA 90013
Why: Black History Month: the most Under-represented population in American; Black Disabled Veterans. The problem this Mural addresses is racial differences in veteran service connection disability, specifically for the African American Veteran community.
As the Vaccine is rolled out there continues to be outbreaks, many peoples guards have been let down, therefore it’s important to remind residents and visitors to wear masks in solidarity against Covid-19.
Black History Month: Mask on Disabled Veterans, Page 2
info@mlkmural.com February 17, 2021
How: International Executive Artist Kyle Holbrook hand painted the mural with acrylic paints utilizing Ed Ruscha inspired shapes. The Images show a Black Disabled veteran in the background, being ignored, unnoticed, although the pandemic effects all Americans, we are all in this together.
Who: International Executive Artist Kyle Holbrook, The Mural is sponsored by Moving Lives of Kids Arts Center (MLKmural.com).
“As a muralists its important to use public art to draw attention to important social messages pertinent to society. The imagery becomes a commentary on society and more than enhancing life aesthetically.”
-Kyle Holbrook
Kyle Holbrook Tours Sony studios 2013.
Peace Los Angeles
Stop Gun Violence Mural as part of the national Stop Gun Violence Tour.
What: A 10’ x 18’ ( 2 sided) Stop Gun Violence Mural in Santa Monica.
When:Wednesday, August 17, 2022 11am
Were: (Back) 2103 Lincoln Blvd. Santa Monica 90405
Why: In Response to all the recent shootings in Los Angeles and around the United States. 2 info@mlkmural.com August 15, 2022 Artist Kyle Holbrook has lost forty-six (46) friends to gun violence including his best friends and family. This mural is meant to be a healing place for himself and the families of lost loved ones. The Mural is part of a !Gun Violence Awareness National Tour" to all 50 States. "Peace Los Angeles#$is in close proximity to other murals in Santa Monica thus drawing more attention to the mural and the message.The Hope is that people will get selfies with the mural and spread the message of Peace and Awareness to Stop Violence.
2103 Lincoln Blvd. Santa Monica 90405 (Side) August 2022
2103 Lincoln Blvd. Santa Monica 90405
Kyle Holbrook and Will Bumpas infront of the AKU mural at Sawubona, a co-working space where underrepresented artists and entrepreneurs can see themselves reflected and supported in a physical space on Venice Beach.
In the late summer of 2022, Kyle began developing a piece that would be bold and empowering for the high traffic that exists along Washington Boulevard. At the genesis of the piece, he began by inquiring how onlookers should feel when observing the mural. It needed to be bold. It needed to be empowering. Essentially, the mural had to align well with the intention of the co-working space on the top floor of the building- Sawubona. For several months, Kyle worked with the team on iterating through different designs. However, it quickly became apparent that featuring Aku - an NFT launched by Micah Johnson - would be most suited to help embody the essence of the office and its purpose to empower young black professionals to accomplish their dreams and goals.
Featuring a Black boy astronaut, Aku was named the “2020 NFT of the Year”. It all started after Micah Johnson, a former MLB player, heard a young Black boy ask his mother if astronauts can be Black. Since then Micah has received several notable mentions, including Fortune’s “Top 50 Most Influential People in NFTs” and one of the Most Innovative Companies of 2022 by Fast Company. Aku has garnered over $24 MM in sales-to-date. As an underrepresented founder in a budding industry, both Micah and his work made a strong case for featuring Aku to inspire empowerment. “The mural and partnership between Sawubona founder, Will Bumpus, and myself is a perfect visual depiction of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream in anticipation of his day and Black History Month, " says Holbrook. “To me, this young black astronaut is symbolic that our possibilities are endless as a country and Dr. King’s Dream is still alive.”
The mural helps boldly speak for Sawubona, a co-working space where underrepresented artists and entrepreneurs can see themselves reflected and supported in a physical space. Sawubona is named after a popular greeting amongst the Zulu tribe in South Africa: “I see you”. As the name suggests, the focus is on creating community and connection for underrepresented business owners and to inspire the celebration of diversity, our cultures, and the wealth of our ideas. To complete the mural’s message, both Kyle and the Sawubona team feel strongly aligned with the featured James Baldwin quote, "Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it."
United States Senator Joe Baca for southwestern San Bernardino County and Artist Kyle Holbrook.
9.14.23