Francisco Palomares Unveils Billboard Celebrating Immigrant Mothers

News Summary

L.A. artist Francisco Palomares has launched a powerful billboard on Hollywood Boulevard, honoring immigrant mothers with vibrant imagery. This piece, part of The Billboard Creative initiative, features marigolds in a Fabuloso bottle, reflecting nostalgic memories. Palomares aims to celebrate the contributions of first-generation Mexican-American mothers, showcasing their influence on his upbringing. The billboard, set to be displayed until the end of May, is part of a larger effort to provide a platform for local artists to connect with the community and highlight cultural narratives.

Los Angeles – L.A. artist Francisco Palomares has unveiled an impactful billboard piece on Hollywood Boulevard, celebrating the contributions of immigrant mothers through vivid imagery and personal history. This project is part of a broader initiative by The Billboard Creative, a nonprofit organization that has brought together 30 artists to showcase their work on billboards across Los Angeles.

Palomares’ billboard features orange marigolds in a purple Fabuloso bottle, serving as a reproduction of his oil painting series titled “Homage to My Mothers.” The artwork is rich in color and meaning, with the marigolds symbolizing remembrance and the Fabuloso bottle inspiring nostalgic memories linked to Palomares’ upbringing. The colors and scents associated with Fabuloso evoke memories of his mother’s home, illustrating the emotional connection embedded in the piece.

Palomares, who teaches art at Barnsdall Park, emphasizes that his work is not only personal but also resonates with the experiences of many first-generation Mexican-American immigrants. The billboard aims to pay tribute to mothers like his own, who worked as domestic workers and instilled in him a robust work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. This aligns with Palomares’ vision to celebrate blue-collar and domestic workers through a lens often overlooked in mainstream art.

Founding director Adam Santelli initiated The Billboard Creative project over a decade ago as a response to the economic downturn that left many companies struggling to sell advertising space. Recognizing the challenges artists encounter in gaining visibility, Santelli aims to provide a prominent platform for artists to exhibit their creativity. Billboards that would typically cost companies up to $8,000 a month are made available to these artists through partnerships with outdoor advertising companies.

The current display of artworks will be visible until the end of May and can be found throughout various locations from downtown L.A. to West Hollywood. Viewers can access a map provided by The Billboard Creative to locate all the participating billboard artworks.

Palomares reflects on how he was inspired as a child by a mural he observed while traveling along the 101 Freeway, fostering his belief that billboards serve as vessels for cultural narratives. His participation in this initiative coincides with other public art programs, including the Los Angeles County Library’s Art Passport program, both of which aim to encourage community engagement with civic art.

The Billboard Creative not only highlights the artistic talents of local creators but also engages the public and inspires conversations about identity and heritage within the vibrant tapestry of Los Angeles. Through projects like Palomares’ billboard, the initiative seeks to uplift the stories that often go untold, showcasing the rich cultural contributions of immigrant mothers in the city.

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• LAist
• Wikipedia: Public Art
• WIBW
• Google Search: Los Angeles Public Art
• NBC Los Angeles
• Google Scholar: Los Angeles art initiatives
• Los Angeles Times
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Art in Los Angeles
• Artnet News
• Google News: Los Angeles art exhibitions