INTRODUCTION Hebert's striking digital mural on the Bryant street wall of Galería paid tribute to the youth of San Francisco and Los Angeles, who Hebert has worked with as an artist, teacher and mentor. No Haters Here was part of Galería’s “Pervasive Forces: Globalization, Private Identities and the Public Sphere.” The artist designed the mural as a campaign against hate crimes after conducting a workshop with youth of color examining the rise in hate crimes committed by youth. The digital mural features a powerful portrait of two project participants, which subtly reveals the intrinsic beauty and character of their choices, affections and singularity as members of culturally diverse communities. ARTIST STATEMENT This portrait was made as part of a project called No Haters Here. The project began in 2000 as an intervention effort by the LA County Commission on Human Relations in response to the steady rise in hate crimes committed by youth. The Commission wanted to develop a highly visible public media campaign that would help shape public discourse around the issues. I participated until September 2002. | |