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June 6, 2011
Graffiti art preserves Jackson legacy
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GARY | Gerry Guevara deftly used spray paint to put the final touches on a
side of a wall portrait of a young Michael Jackson.
Guevara, who calls himself a graffiti or aerosol artist, said he and four
other artists Saturday memorialized Jackson nearly two years after his death. He
died June 25, 2009, in California.
The mural is being painted with a variety of designs and bright colors
on the east side of a tire repair shop at Fifth Avenue and Ralston Street.
"I figure this is the best place to do the mural in the city where Michael was born," Guevara said.
Guevara said it's also appropriate to portray the King of Pop's early years, when he was a member of The Jackson Five, since that was nearer the time he and his family had lived in Gary.
The music The Jackson Five produced is Guevara's favorite time period of
Michael Jackson.
"I liked him when he was with The Jackson Five and remember hearing the
music when I was in grade school," Guevara said.
In addition to paying tribute to the Gary native, the mural is a way to
brighten up a dull corner and also can educate the public about graffiti
artists.
"Some people confuse graffiti with gangs, but this is entirely different. We're not claiming territory," Guevara said. On another portion of the wall, Jason Aguirre, of Hammond, completed his
work -- a depiction of Michael Jackson's TV cartoon character.
"I like doing a lot of cartoons," Aguirre said.
Graffiti artist Ish Muhammad, who like the other artists always signs his
work, said his part will include doing a lot of the background.
He compared the gathering Saturday of the graffiti artists to a group of
friends getting together to play a round of golf.
Although there is camaraderie among the artists, there is also a feeling of
competition as to who can do the best.
"We're trying to beat each other," Muhammad said.
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