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.
Michael Tullberg/Getty
A mural of Kobe Bryant by Sloe_Motions is seen on the second anniversary of Bryant’s death on January 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California
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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.
Comments below the post expressed sadness over the loss of the mural in the city where Kobe and the entire Bryant family are beloved. “Sad! The level of disrespect is unbelievable! 🥲💔,” one comment said.
KTLA 5/YouTube
Tribute mural to Kobe Bryant and daughter Gigi is vandalized in downtown Los Angeles
“That mural was a symbol of love, loss, and legacy. It’s heartbreaking to see people show so little respect for their memory😢😢,” another user wrote. “Anything Kobe and Gigi have to be off limits smh,” added a third.
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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.”
Related: Vanessa Bryant Mourns Late Daughter After UConn Wins National Championship: ‘Gigi Would’ve Loved Being There’
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.
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