The Taylor Yard Project
Restoration and Conservation
Here is the untold story of the Taylor Yard Mural named “ Lo Que Nos Hace Falta” and the current goal to repair and conserve the mural.
Artist: Joseph Nuke Montalvo, Omar Ramirez, Asylm, and Grant Writer Gabriel Tenorio formed Sindicato Regeneracion out of the Popular Resouce Center in 1997 in Highland Park, Ca.
Sindicato Regeneracion
Lo Que Nos Have Falta
The mural, titled "What Makes Us Not Whole," aims to inspire humankind and civilization to connect with their natural and spiritual roots. As stated in the previous proposal, the goal of this mural is to represent the missing indigenous history of the land, knowledge of nature, and spiritual ties to nature that have made us not whole as a community. This mural uses the surrounding landscape of the river, Los Angeles cityscape, and an image of a Gabrielino Curandera to tell a story of healing and reclaiming.
The Curandera, a healer, and a wise woman, symbolizes the spirit of nature and humanity, possessing knowledge of the plants and their healing powers. She teaches the children about their history and is the embodiment of nature and spirit. The river flowing from her bowl brings life and purpose to the plants and the people depicted in the center of the mural. The waterways turn into freeways and streets, and the life takes over the dead concrete jungle of the city. The Lamposts bloom with flowers, trees, and vegetation, overcoming the buildings, and life prevails..
The mural conveys that the wheel of nature is the wheel of the human spirit, and just as nature always finds a way, so does the community. This powerful image serves as a metaphor for life and hope, even when things seem impossible or lost. The mural appears to be floating over the building's facade, reaching out to the viewer like a dream or a vision, with the wall of Site C acting as a backdrop for the mural, resembling the wall of an ancient temple. The wall's face showcases ancient petroglyphs styled like graffiti, and the structure now becomes an urban temple where the ceremonies of life are celebrated.
Art is a celebration and can be very much like a ceremony, especially when it is for the community. Public art should never compromise the integrity of the community for the artistic vision of one person. Hence, this mural incorporates images and stylings that are from the past and present of the community. The style of many of the images is inspired by graffiti art, hip hop culture aesthetics, ancient Maya and Aztec art, and modern art from our community today. The mural engages the greater part of the community, attempting to include and inspire the marginalized youth. Knowledge brings self-respect, pride, inspiration, and confidence..