Latest news with #Palsino
Los Angeles Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
North Hollywood mural lauds Dodgers' Kiké Hernández ‘for standing up for what is right'
Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernández was not born and raised in Los Angeles. A North Hollywood mural seemingly inspired by the San Juan, Puerto Rico, native's stance on immigration sweeps shows that doesn't matter. Hernández began a June 14 Instagram post by stating, 'I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own.' Local artist Louie Palsino has cemented the second part of that statement in a new mural on the side of the Noho Tires & Wheels building on the 5600 block of Lankershim Blvd. It features Hernández's image surrounded by the words 'Born X Raised' and 'Los Angeles.' Hernández said plenty more in the post, which seems to have inspired Palsino. The two-time World Series champion expressed support for his adopted city's immigrants and dismay at how many of them were being treated in a series of sweeps by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The sweeps in Los Angeles have sparked protests locally and elsewhere in the country. 'I am saddened and infuriated by what's happening in our country and our city,' Hernández wrote. 'Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me and shown me nothing but kindness and love. This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights.' Under the name Sloe Motions, Palsino has painted a number of high-profile murals, including one in the Fashion District of Kobe and Gianna Bryant that was vandalized, restored, then vandalized again all within the last few months. He declined to discuss the Hernández mural for this story, instead directing The Times to a statement he posted about it on Instagram last week. 'Thank you @kikehndez for standing up for what is right and for Los Angeles,' Palsino wrote. 'this ain't a political post or anything to stir up any government agenda to divide us. this is just paying homage to standing up for what is right and a real over government.' Palsino painted the Hernández mural on a building that already featured two of his other Dodgers-themed pieces — one of legendary broadcaster Vin Scully on an adjoining wall and one of iconic Mexican pitcher Fernando Valenzuela on the gate in front of the garage's driveway When the gate is pulled open, a split image of Valenzuela and Hernandez is created. Hernández has been a Dodgers fan favorite since his first stint with the team in 2015-2020. In 2017, he hit three home runs, including a grand slam, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs to help send the Dodgers to the World Series. He signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent after the Dodgers' 2020 World Series championship, but returned to L.A. in a July 2023 trade. Hernández hit .262 in 54 games with the Dodgers that season, helping him earn a one-year, $4-million contract for 2024. Last postseason, Hernández was a key member of another Dodgers championship team. He hit one of the Dodgers' two solo home runs in a 2-0 win against the San Diego Padres in the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series. He then contributed seven hits and four RBIs in the NLCS against the New York Mets and five hits against the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kobe and Gigi Bryant's Mural Is Vandalized for the Second Time in a Month. Now the Artist Says He's Moving It
A mural featuring Kobe and Gigi Bryant has been vandalized again The installation, located in Downtown Los Angeles, was targeted with spray paint shortly after its restoration was completed last week The artist, Sloe Motions, now says he will move the tribute to another locationA mural depicting the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna has been vandalized for the second time in a span of a month. The mural, located in Downtown Los Angeles, was tagged with white spray paint after it was restored to its pre-vandalized state on Friday, May 30, according to KNBC-TV. The 'Mambas Forever' mural on Main and 14th Street by Los Angeles-based artist Sloe Motions was first vandalized in April. The artist, whose real name is Louie Palsino, told the news station that he will now work to move the installation to another location. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Everything happens for a reason and we now want to reach out and get this piece done in collaboration with another business or foundation, all donated by us and no charge to the new location,' Palsino said in a statement. 'The project will be better than the last with a proper wall, whether indoor or outdoor, for our community and people to appreciate.' The artwork depicts Kobe in his Lakers uniform kissing his daughter Gigi, who holds a basketball. The words "Mambas Forever" are written next to them. Shortly after the mural was initially vandalized, Palsino established a GoFundMe to help with restoration — and Lakers star Luka Dončić promptly donated the entire $5,000 goal. "Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally," Dončić said in a statement at the time. "I'm happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored." For Palsino, the incidents are not only marring his own tribute to the basketball icon, but also he fears they are affecting Bryant's legacy, he told CBS affiliate KCAL-TV. "We didn't want that disrespect to L.A. right here, and for people to see that, especially Vanessa," he said. "Kobe has brought nothing but light and insight and inspiration to the youth." Read the original article on People
Epoch Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Lakers Star Donates $5,000 to Restore Vandalized Kobe, Gianna Bryant Mural
LOS ANGELES—Lakers star Luka Doncic donated $5,000 on April 29 to fund the restoration of a vandalized downtown Los Angeles mural depicting team legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. The mural, titled 'Mambas Forever,' is on the side of a building at the corner of 14th and Main streets. The mural by artist Sloe Motions, whose real name is Louie Palsino, was one of the first created following the 2020 death of Bryant and Gianna in a Calabasas helicopter crash. The vandalism is believed to have occurred over the weekend, with graffiti covering much of the artwork. Palsino created a GoFundMe On Tuesday morning, Doncic donated the full $5,000 to the page. 'Kobe is L.A.,' Doncic said in a statement released by the Luka Doncic Foundation. 'He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally. I'm happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored.' Related Stories 1/25/2025 11/3/2024 It was unclear how long the restoration effort would take. Palsino wrote on the GoFundMe page that all donations would go 'directly towards the materials needed for the restoration process, including high-quality paints, sealants and other essential supplies.' 'The Kobe & Gigi mural holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing strength, legacy, and love,' Palsino wrote. 'By contributing to this cause, you are helping preserve a piece of art that continues to uplift and inspire our community.' Kobe Bryant won five NBA championships and played his entire career with the Lakers. Police have not identified any suspects in the vandalism.
