1984 Olympic Freeway Murals
MCLA
By The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Jim Morphesis Monument (1984) by Kent Twitchell The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
A tribute to artist Jim Morphesis as part of the 7th Street Altarpiece. This piece faces a complementary mural of Lita Albuquerque done by the same artist. Restored by MCLA in 1989 and 2011
Luchas del Mundo (1984) by Will Herron III The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
3' x 3' concrete blocks (trompe l'oeil of Olympic monograms). Superimposed over them is a computer graphic-style screen with wrestlers competing, and helicopters spraying Malathion over La Placita in Olvera Street
Hitting the Wall (1984) by Judith Baca The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Female marathon runner crossing the finish line, breaking through a wall. Restoration by SPARC completed January 3, 2013.
James and Spectators (1984) by Richard Wyatt The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
"James and Spectators" by Richard Wyatt
Eyes on 84 (1984) by Alonzo Davis The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Three suspended cloth-like forms give the illusion of tapestries on the L.A. landscape. Combining culturally specific and universal elements (ie., heart, trombone, pyramid), each panel attempts to reflect local cultures. Restored by MCLA in 1992
Going to the Olympics (1984) by Frank Romero The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
The broad strokes found in this tribute to L.A.'s car culture were accomplished by the artist's use of a broom instead of a brush. Restored by MCLA in 1991 and 2013. 2013 restoration made possible by donations from the Department of Cultural Affairs, Wells Fargo Foundation, and Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
LA Freeway Kids (1984) by Glenna Avila The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Located in sight of the Children's Museum.The girls featured in the mural are named Misty, Yuriko, and Jennifer. "Margaret Garcia worked on the oldest girl, Misty, who is African-American. John Valadez worked on the blond girl in the purple and white striped dress, Jana, who may be the next figure to be revealed. And I believe Eloy worked on the little basketball player, Gabriel. It's hard to remember because we were also moving around on the different figures at the same time, depending on who showed up that day." -Glenna Avila. Restored by MCLA in 1991 and 2012
Unity (1984) by Roderick Sykes The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Colorful melange of faces and athletics
Cityscape (1984) by Terry Schoonhoven The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Altered Los Angeles skyline with the Parthenon, Roman Coliseum, and other classical sites in the foreground
Galileo, Jupiter, Apollo (1983) by John Wehrle The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Pieces of Classical Greek sculpture and architecture float past planets in this space landscape. Restored by MCLA in 1995 and in 2015
Lita Albuquerque Monument (1984) by Kent Twitchell The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
A tribute to artist Lita Albuquerque as part of the 7th Street Altarpiece. This piece faces a complementary mural of Jim Morphesis done by the same artist. Restored by MCLA in 1989 and 2012
Photos © Robin Dunitz
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