Artwork Detail

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Untitled (Cesar Chavez Mural)

Artist: Los Angeles Visual Artists (LAVA)

Object Date: 1996

Medium: Acrylic paint

Department(s): Probation

Supervisorial District: 2

About the Artwork:

In March 1995, Los Angeles County Probation Department commissioned Los Angeles Visual Artists (LAVA), including founding artist Esperanza Luna as well as Marshall Heads, Pedram Nourian, and Curtis Jones, to paint a mural of Cesar Chavez at the Probation Department Firestone Office. This mural depicts Cesar Chavez with other historic civic leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ghandi and Robert Kennedy. It was originally dedicated on March 30, 1995, and conserved in 2015.

About the Artist:

In 1991, Esperanza Luna, Nick Navarro, Curtis Jones, Marshall Heads, and Pedram Nourian founded the Los Angeles Visual Artists (LAVA) group. The group had success in exhibiting at numerous galleries in the Los Angeles area and featured a number of talented visual and performing artists. 

Esperanza Luna is a native of Orange County, and received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California
Riverside. She is the Founder and President of LAVA (Los Angeles Visual Artists) founded September 1991. She has done numerous exhibitions among them; "Earth Forms" ceramic exhibition at The Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles. She is a founding member and exhibitor with "Sharing Friends of the Arts," and has exhibited with the Hollywood Arts Affair. Esperanza has also been chosen for the Masters Commitee of "Sharing Friends of the Arts," and her organization "LAVA" has been named as a satellite of "Sharing Friends of the Arts." Esperanza is a multi-media artist specializing in portraits; still lives; and assemblage art. Esperanza seeks to capture the elusive moment of human existence frequently overlooked in our time conscious society.

Marshall Heads holds a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Marshall Heads is a native of Compton, California and is a multi-media artist specializing in still life; human form; landscapes and abstract art. He finds inspiration from material from natural forms in the environment and translates them onto canvas. Marshall has recently exhibited at the Hollywood Crossroads show in Hollywood, and at the Hollywood Bowl Father's Day exhibit.

Pedram Nurian with rich colors and shocking images creates a striking impact with transparent mediums. An engineering student at Long Beach State University he is cognizant of the triumphs and failures of modern technology. His work addresses the presence of both of these elements.

Curtis Jones captures images of today's life in a delightful way. After receiving his bachelor's degree in fine arts Curtis taught art in the St. Louis Public School Systems and is currently offering private and group lessons here in the Los Angeles area. Curtis has done many commissioned works and has exhibited in one man and group shows across the country.

Nick Navarro paints Native Americans from the proud beauty of their culture to their pathos in Urban America. An expert in Pan-American Indian costumes; songs; dance; ritual and craft Nick's portraits and paintings of Native Americans has truly captivated audiences. Nick has had numerous exhibitions, his most recent exhibition at the Crossroads of the World Show in Hollywood and the Hollywood Bowl Father's Day exhibit.