Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles

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A native of Georgia, Pinkney (born 1934) moved to southern California after serving in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a B.A. at Woodbury College. A poet and sculptor as well as a painter, he has lived in the community of Compton for 20 years. In the early 1970s he was active at an innovative community arts school called Compton Communicative Arts Academy. During 1977 and 1978 the walls of Compton were his studio. Funded by a special grant from the California Arts Council, he completed eight murals. Their underlying themes were African-American pride and the importance of understanding between different cultures. All but three are gone. (Robin K. Dunitz, Street Gallery, Guide to over 1000 Los Angeles Murals)

New Worlds

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

Man's place in his continuously expanding universe. Space imagery mixed with portraits of an assortment of African Americans.

Medicare 78

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

A tribute to health care workers who, dressed in white, wage a never-ending fight against disease and suffering.

Ethnic Simplicity

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

Artists: Elliott & Arnold Pinkney Portraits representing three local cultures: African American, Latino, and Native American.

Peace and Love

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

The head of an African American man is the central image.

Mafundi

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

Restored in 1997 by Elliot Pinkney. Photo © Isabel Rojas-Williams (last two)

Ceremony for Smokers

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

IMages of death and bondage linked artistically to the figure of African American men, women, and teens are intended to deliver a strong

Community Heroes

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

Portraits of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Cesar Chavez. Photo: © Robin Dunitz

Vision and Motion

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

Malcolm X and Cesar Chavez oversee portraits of athletes, students, and performers. Sponsored and commissioned by SPARC.

Untitled (Redemption from Negative Societal Influences)

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

The theme is redemption from negative societal influences (drugs, gangs, violence) through learning the history of the Latino and African

All That You Can Be

Elliott Pinkney
South Central LA

A father cradles a new born baby. Around him are eight hands holding symbols of the possible future careers awaiting the child.

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