Noni Olabisi facts for kids
Noni Olabisi (born in 1954, died March 1, 2022) was a talented artist who created large paintings on walls, known as murals. She used her art to share important messages and tell stories. One of her famous murals, To Protect and Serve (painted in 1996), showed the history of the Black Panther Party and talked about challenges between police and communities. Her very first mural, Freedom Won't Wait, was painted in 1992 after a time of unrest and protests in Los Angeles.
About Noni Olabisi's Life
Noni Olabisi was born in St. Louis in 1954. As a child, she lived in Arkansas before her family moved to Los Angeles. She started making art when she was in Horace Mann Junior High School. Later, she earned a special art degree from Southwest College in Los Angeles.
Creating Her First Murals
Noni Olabisi got her first chance to paint a mural from the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC). This happened after she filled out a survey for new mural artists.
Her 1996 mural, To Protect and Serve, caused some discussion. City rules about the mural made it take two years to finish. Many people felt these rules were almost like trying to stop her message. In the end, SPARC and public donations paid for the mural.
Shortly after it was finished, a film crew from the Showtime movie Riot covered up the mural. Noni Olabisi did not want her mural used in the background of a scene. She said the crew damaged her artwork when they covered it.
In 1997, Olabisi spoke about her mural. She said, "This mural remembers the Black Panther Party and their important work in African American history. It is for all people who fought for truth, fairness, and freedom. Their spirit will live on. ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!"
Later Art Projects
In September 2021, Noni Olabisi worked with another Los Angeles artist, Luis Mateo. They also worked with 21 local students. Together, they created art for the fence around the future Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
In October 2021, she started a special art program at Blue Roof Artist Studios. During this time, she began to change her art. Instead of painting on walls, she started painting on canvases.
Noni Olabisi passed away suddenly in February 2022. This was shortly after she finished her program at Blue Roof. Another Los Angeles artist, Dominique Moody, spoke about Olabisi's recent work. She said, "Her mural work is very active and strong. In Olabisi’s new art, her figures are like spirits, almost hard to see. It’s as if she captured the feeling of a spirit."
