Street art of George Floyd reflects our pain, suffering and the potential for healing

Silent visits are made to an organic memorial featuring a mural of George Floyd near the spot where he died while in police custody. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

By Andscape @andscape

June 2, 2020

Artists from around the world have commemorated the memory and sacrifice of George Floyd from that corner in Minneapolis to Binnish, Syria; to Pensacola, Florida; to Milan; to Los Angeles and beyond. For these and other artists, our creativity is a healing tool, a powerful bond that needs few words.

“George Floyd was killed in my neighborhood, where I have lived all of my life. It is a clear and unequivocal action of police brutality,” said Minneapolis community and public artist Greta McLain. McLain, Xena Goldman and Cadex Herrera painted the wall mural at the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue South, where Floyd died in police custody.

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A woman walks past a street poster artwork by Italian urban artist Salvatore Benintende, aka "TVBOY," depicting George Floyd with angel wings and holding a stop sign against racism, on a street in Barcelona, Spain, on May 31.

A woman walks past a street poster artwork by Italian urban artist Salvatore Benintende, aka "TVBOY," depicting George Floyd with angel wings and holding a stop sign against racism, on a street in Barcelona, Spain, on May 31.
A mural of George Floyd painted by the artist Eme Freethinker on a wall at Mauerpark in Berlin.

A mural of George Floyd painted by the artist Eme Freethinker on a wall at Mauerpark in Berlin.
Black Lives Matter protests. A mural of George Floyd in West Dublin.

Black Lives Matter protests. A mural of George Floyd in West Dublin.
A mural in memory of George Floyd's last words, reading "I can't breathe," at Renato Serra Street in Milan.

A mural in memory of George Floyd's last words, reading "I can't breathe," at Renato Serra Street in Milan.
Graffiti artist Resko paints a mural near where a march starts on May 29 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Graffiti artist Resko paints a mural near where a march starts on May 29 in Louisville, Kentucky.
A man with a face covering walks past a mural depicting George Floyd during a protest over Floyd's death on May 31.

A man with a face covering walks past a mural depicting George Floyd during a protest over Floyd's death on May 31.
Flowers, signs and balloons are left near a makeshift memorial to George Floyd near the spot where he died.

Flowers, signs and balloons are left near a makeshift memorial to George Floyd near the spot where he died.
Destiny Randle works on a communal painting at the memorial site for George Floyd.

Destiny Randle works on a communal painting at the memorial site for George Floyd.
A group of artists paint a mural of George Floyd on the wall outside of Cup Foods in Minneapolis.

A group of artists paint a mural of George Floyd on the wall outside of Cup Foods in Minneapolis.
Graffiti signs are seen in response to the killing of George Floyd.

Graffiti signs are seen in response to the killing of George Floyd.
The repainted mural of George Floyd by artist Brandon Vessels is on view at Graffiti Bridge in Pensacola, Florida, on May 29.

The repainted mural of George Floyd by artist Brandon Vessels is on view at Graffiti Bridge in Pensacola, Florida, on May 29.
Syrian artists Aziz Asmar and Anis Hamdoun finish a mural depicting George Floyd, in the town of Binnish, Syria, on June 1.

Syrian artists Aziz Asmar and Anis Hamdoun finish a mural depicting George Floyd, in the town of Binnish, Syria, on June 1.
Protesters pass an "I Am A Man" mural during a march in protest of police brutality and the death of George Floyd in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, on May 31.

Protesters pass an "I Am A Man" mural during a march in protest of police brutality and the death of George Floyd in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, on May 31.