One of the murals of the late Kobe and Gigi Bryant in Downtown Los Angeles has been vandalized.
An unknown individual tagged over the “Mambas Forever” mural on Main and 14th Street by Los Angeles-based artist Sloe Motions, whose real name is Louie Palsino, according a post on Monday, April 28 shared by the Instagram account KobeMural.
In the post, the account showed before-and-after images of the mural, which originally depicted Kobe in his iconic Lakers uniform holding and kissing his daughter who is holding a basketball. The words “Mambas Forever” were written next to them.
The mural is now nearly completely covered in black writing and white spray paint, leaving just the top of Kobe’s head and an infinity symbol still visible.
Palsino established a GoFundMe to help with restoration. In the fundraiser’s description, the artist said, “I am reaching out to the community to help restore the beautiful Kobe & Gigi mural that has brought inspiration and unity to so many….Your generous donations will go directly towards the materials needed for the restoration process, including high-quality paints, sealants, and other essential supplies.”
Shortly after the fundraiser was established, Lakers star Luka Dončić donated the entire $5,000 goal.
Even basketball fans who aren’t from Los Angeles chimed in, with one saying, “I don’t claim to know the rules of the game but anybody in or remotely proud of L.A. should know better. This is Kobe Bryant, the most revered figure in modern Los Angeles and this is absolutely not acceptable.”
The vandalization comes shortly after Vanessa Bryant announced the upcoming release of Mamba & Mambacita Forever, a catalogue of over 100 murals and the stories that honor their lasting impact.
The book will be released on Aug. 19, just before Kobe Bryant Day on Aug. 24. The book “brings together the images and stories” of the public art installations that honored the Bryants, per a press release.
