Paramount Theater
Mama’s Gun
In the midst of 2020, the Mama’s Gun mural was born…
This mural was a temporary installation on panels located at the Paramount Theater, thanks to the curation of Tariqa Waters. The title “Mama’s Gun” was inspired by the music of Erykah Badu, one of my favorite musicians. The mural itself and the Erykah Badu song “Solider” refers to the militant nature of Harriet Tubman as she led her community to freedom.
The song lyrics read:
“Now, if you think about turning back,
I got the shotgun on yo back”
This serves as a reminder that we aren’t going back to the old ways of oppression and enslavement. The only option is forward.
My goal was to highlight liberation through the lens of optimism and growth. Despite the painful past represented by the cotton in the mural, the roses symbolize hope for the future as they bloom from the fingertip. No bullets, just beauty.
🎨MURAL: Behind the Scenes of the Paramount Theater Project - Mama's Gun 💘
It was truly an honor to create this mural for the Paramount Theater in Seattle, WA. This wouldn't be possible without Tariqa Waters, Martin Sepulveda, and the Seattle Theater Group staff💘 Many thanks to everyone!
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Created 2020
