The Los Angeles Unified School District received a complaint about a mural at the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools Complex in Koreatown. The mural features actress Ava Gardner in front of a red and blue sunburst pattern. A Koreatown community group said the mural resembles the Japanese imperial flag from World War II -- an offensive association for Koreans. Brooklyn-based artist Beau Stanton defended his mural. LAUSD decided to remove the mural. Now fellow artist Shepard Fairey, who created the famous Barack Obama hope poster, has threatened to pull his mural at the RFK school if LAUSD goes forward with the plan.
Controversy over a mural at a Koreatown public school
Credits
Guest:
- Howard Blume - education reporter for the Los Angeles Times - @howardblume