This mural was produced with support from ICU Arts and Doritos. Thank you to Peyton Scott Russell, and Amira, the mural’s featured subject. Photo by Terra Surra Photography.
Highpoint is thrilled to share our new mural from local artist Peyton Scott Russell. We hope everyone in our community will take time to walk or drive by and enjoy this incredible work of art!
Highpoint’s Gallery Director Mari Marks-Mondanelli interviewed Peyton Scott Russell about the project:
Where did the idea for this mural come from?
I was approached by ICU Art, out of California, and asked if I was interested in participating in a campaign by Doritos to #AmplifyBlackVoices – one component of Doritos’ current efforts to support Black Lives Matter and bring more recognition to Black communities and voices through visual outreach. Murals were being proposed in four different cities, and ICU Art was charged with finding muralists in each city that were supporting Black voices. I was asked if I could come up with something. Following the George Floyd mural and the “WE” piece at the LynLake intersection, I started thinking about images that would be strong and relevant to the current situation - riot police, abusive cops, Black Lives Matter, and the protests to all the injustices in our country. One image circulating on the internet that resonated with me was the famous photograph of a little boy in front of riot cops, in full gear, with his fist in the air. This image as well as others fabricated from it created a juxtaposition between power – abusive power – and the community, and I wanted to create my own art based on this juxtaposition.
The initial design idea was to find a young child to take a photo of and use this image with a collage of images of riot cops as the background. However, I did not want to pull an image from the internet and decided with the number of students I have worked with through SPRAYFINGER, someone would let me use their photo.
Previously, I had taken a picture of a Black family, Amira’s family, which went in to the “NORTHSIDE” mural on Wally’s Food at the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Penn Ave in North Minneapolis. I reached out to the family, told them the about the project, and they graciously allowed me to do the photo shoot with Amira, who is the niece of one of my current students. After a series of requested content changes, I came up with the mural on Highpoint’s building.
Was the location of the mural important?
Yes. ICU had originally selected a location in downtown Minneapolis. Since the mural was being sponsored by Doritos, they wanted it in a high visibility area. Because of differences of opinions about how Black voices should be represented, the location changed four times until Highpoint accepted the mural design and provided an opportunity for it to be created in a prominent, high-traffic area.
What effect do you hope the mural has on those that pass by?
I hope it creates a sense of pride, understanding, and comfort, and recognition that Black voices need to continue to be raised up. I want people to think about equity. As a biracial person – Black and white – I understand all people matter, but right now, Black images and voices need to be highlighted for some time to come, in order for equity and systemic change to be achieved. It is important for me to emphasize Black images in very strong and powerful ways.
What was the most challenging part of this mural?
The approval process. At the first location, I presented my original concept, which included the riot cops in full gear as the background to the little girl. This original design was pared down to the design now on Highpoint’s building. The owners and tenants of the first location thought the image was too strong and wanted something more inclusive. Similar comments were made at the second location, which went further to say the image would promote “civil unrest”. The third location rejected the project because it did not approve of the corporate sponsorship. This then brought us to Highpoint - which also almost did not happen because a high-level Doritos executive saw the image and was concerned about perception of their products being promoted to a younger audience. This person requested the child’s image be changed to someone 18 years or older. A compromise was finally reached, and we were able to proceed.
How long did the mural take, from the first spray to completion?
Fifteen to 20 hours over the course of three days. Tom Janssen assisted me with mural execution.
The documentary film Style Wars (Tony Silver & Henry Chalfant) inspired you to spray paint as a child, what are your contemporary inspirations?
I am very influenced by traditional, classic art. Abstract expressionist art is my favorite, traditional movement of art. I get inspiration from spending time in museums. Other inspirations come from my students and movement – traveling, driving around the community – and simply living life.
About Peyton Scott Russell
Minneapolis native, Peyton Scott Russell, has a B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and for over three decades has been a professional artist and arts instructor. In 1984 the film Style Wars introduced Peyton to graffiti art and had a profound effect on him. From that point forward, he has devoted his time and energy to graffiti art. Peyton has also taught and directed classical visual fine arts with non-traditional art programs and encourages students to be professional artists by focusing on portfolio development, artistic interpretation, and exhibition. Today, through assistance from a Bush Foundation Fellowship (2012-2014), Peyton is focused on his new arts program, SPRAYFINGER®. He is dedicated to teaching, studying, and practicing Graffiti: The Art of Creative Lettering™. His mission is to increase awareness of graffiti as a teachable art form by working with schools, teachers, and artists on curriculum design, outlines, and lesson plans to deepen the understanding of a long-misunderstood art form.