A new mural depicting civil rights leader Dolores Huerta was unveiled on April 12 in Downtown Los Angeles, the latest work by contemporary artist Robert Vargas as part of his “#WEAreHuman” series.
The 7-story mural is titled “Walking into History,” a nod to her well-known call to action: “Walk the street with us into history. Get off the sidewalk,” which encourages people to join the fight for farmworkers’ rights, economic justice and social equality.
“It’s more than an image,” Vargas said. “It’s really a statement of resilience, history and community.”
The mural was unveiled just days after Huerta’s 96th birthday on April 10.
“Dolores Huerta’s leadership helped change the course of labor rights in this country. She embodies courage, tenacity and unrelenting hope,” Vargas said in a news release. “In a time when we are reckoning with who we choose to honor publicly, this mural represents a deeper recognition of voices that lifted entire movements.”
Robert Vargas shares some words during the unveiling of the final mural in his “We Are Human” series in downtown Los Angeles.
(Chris Mortenson/Staff)
Vargas said the project had been planned for nearly a year as part of his series focused on truth, resiliency and culture. Its unveiling also comes at a time when recent allegations made by Huerta about Cesar Chavez have sparked a re-evaluation of how historical figures are remembered.
The “We Are Human” series also includes four additional murals located in Los Angeles. The first mural in the series, “Songs My Father Taught Me,” depicts a handcuffed mariachi alongside a child, reflecting the impact of immigration raids across Los Angeles and the United States. The second, “I Am Enough,” encourages parents to uplift their children by sharing their stories. “Lo Tengo En La Corona” focuses on reclaiming indigenous identity and challenging stereotypes often used to profile immigrant communities. “Strength in UNITY” features a girl having her hair braided.
“Indigenous braids’ meaning goes far beyond simple aesthetics,” Vargas said on his social media. “It is an unbreakable link to history, ethnic diversity and the rich tradition of indigenous culture.”
Within a span of several weeks, Vargas completed all five murals, hosting community unveilings that invited people to gather, reflect and engage with the messages behind each piece.
Vargas is a fifth-generation Angeleno from Boyle Heights, known for his large-scale murals painted entirely freehand, without the use of grids or projections. He began working on “Walking into History” on April 6 and completed it in about a week.
“Walking into History” features Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta and is the final mural in Robert Vargas’s series titled “We Are Human.”
(Chris Mortenson/Staff)
The mural was created in collaboration with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which provides medical care and advocacy to more than 1 million people in over 40 countries. Vargas said the organization has ties to the building that now features his artwork.
The mural is located on the rear exterior wall of the Barclay Hotel at 103 Fourth St. in Los Angeles.
Vargas emphasized that his work and these murals are less about personal recognition but rather about uplifting communities and addressing issues currently affecting them.
“It’s not just what you do with the brush in your hand but what you do without the brush in your hand,” Vargas said. “The art of how we treat each other is front and center.”
“Walking into History” Mural
WHERE: 103 Fourth Street, Los Angeles
INFO: instagram.com/therobertvargas