In the 1950s, a young man formerly known as Cassius Clay graced the halls of Central High School on West Chestnut Street in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. More than six decades later, the Central High School student, known to the world as Muhammad Ali, will be honored with a seven-story mural just a few blocks away. According to ABC affiliate, WHAS 11, Ali’s legacy will be memorialized with a seven-story mural on the side of the Chestnut Street Family YMCA in Louisville.
The latest mural of the iconic boxer and civil rights leader will be designed by Shepard Fairey. Fairey is best known for designing the iconic “Hope” poster used during Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign. For this project, Fairey intends to use a photo from Howard L. Bingham as the source material.
“After the mass shooting on Monday, I’m devastated for the victims, their families, and the entire community of Louisville,” Fairey told WHAS 11.
“I believe art is a tool of healing and peace so I hope the mural I’ll be painting of Muhammad Ali, a United Nations Messenger of Peace, will serve the moment as well as encourage thoughtful reflection about peace and Ali’s ideals into the future.”
Painting of the mural is set to begin on April 22, 2023 and run into the following week.
