Tiger’s awesome adventures in the greater los angeles area
By Brandon Yung
Staff Writer
It was in the middle of a bike ride through downtown LA when I first encountered the mural on Indian Alley. The unmistakable style of the legendary street artist Shepard Fairey immediately grabbed my attention. The picture was massive, an image depicting a young man with his hand around a horse accompanied by the words, ‘We are still here.’ The mural was part of a themed art presentation that occupied the walkway, coined Indian Alley.
After a relatively quick trip downtown, I recognized the familiar equestrian. Behind an iron gate safeguarding the alleyway, it was clear why the place was called Indian Alley: artwork depicting Native Americans and commentary regarding their conditions peppered the facades of the buildings adjacent to the sidewalk.
I walked up the stairs to the art gallery, owned by Steven Zeigler, and asked him if I could take a look around the alley and he gave me a welcoming affirmative.
The artwork was engaging, depicting a mixture of traditional and contemporary Native American imagery. The alley told a collective story of an oppressed but vigilant group. Steven explained the history of the alley, of its Skid Row origins and its subsequent conversion into a Native American rehabilitation center. While walking around the murals, I asked him what he wanted for people to take away from the artwork.
“I want people to recognize and respect all the history and people that have been in this place before them, to walk away with a greater respect of the native people’s struggles in this city,” he said.
I sat on the train on my way back home that evening, the picture of the boy with his horse occupying my thoughts.
Gold Line Metro Stops:
1. Mission Station
2. Little Tokyo/Arts District
Station
Get off the Metro, and
walk for ten minutes towards
Winston Street