LA based street artist Lauren YS says their new mural on the side of Unkindness Art and Nevermore in Northside is an independent, self-funded project meant to communicate a human message rather than a political slogan.
“There’s no sponsors, no corporations involved, no client to get upset. It’s all me,” Lauren said. “Street art is still a really important way for a clear voice to come through. I’m not paid by anyone to do this. I put money into this. It reminds me why I do this.”
They emphasized that the work is driven by humanity more than politics and should be understood in that spirit. “I would hate to put this in the wrong space, or have it not be appreciated, or have it upset people,” Lauren said. “I know it’s a hugely divisive topic, but that’s why I came out. My work is usually a bit more aggressive, and this is the softest piece I’ve ever painted.”
Lauren said the image comes from a deeply human point of view rather than a political one. “The way I feel about it is from a really humanist point of view,” they said. “I wanted to capture something that’s hopeful, but also human. It’s less about the politics and more about the value of life.”
The mural is a concept Lauren had been trying to paint throughout the year but struggled to place. “Every gig I got, I was like, can I paint this here? And they were like, no, sorry… we support you, but we can’t have that because of our sponsors, because the space is for kids, or because of the attention it might get.”
After months of dead ends, they posted publicly asking if anyone had a wall. Teresa of Unkindness Art offered one that immediately felt right. “I didn’t want to paint it somewhere it’s gonna get bombed immediately or be in the wrong community,” Lauren said. “This felt like the perfect wall.”
This is Lauren’s first time in Richmond, and the reception, they said, has been steady and supportive. “Everyone’s been really cool, really supportive, really just all about it. It feels like we’re in the right place.”
They credited Teresa and the Unkindness Art team for making the project possible. “They’ve been awesome, super supportive, really generous, and behind it 100 percent.”
The mural continues to take shape as weather allows.
Support RVA Magazine. Support Independent Media in Richmond.
At a time when media ownership is increasingly concentrated among corporations and the wealthy, RVA Magazine has remained one of Richmond’s few independent voices. Since 2005, the magazine has provided grassroots coverage of the city’s artists, musicians, and communities, documenting the culture that defines Richmond beyond the headlines.
But we can’t do this without you. A small donation, even as little as $2, one-time or recurring, helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside interference. Every dollar makes a difference. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE.
We’ve got merch HERE
Subscribe to the Substack HERE
And Reddit HERE
And YouTube HERE
MORE WORK FROM LAUREN YS
