While most of us are mourning the end of the 2026 Winter Olympics, some artists are already channeling inspiration from the Games into their work.
One of the biggest and brightest stars from Milan Cortina 2026 was American figure skater Alysa Liu, who took home not one but two gold medals; one for Team USA’s team win, and the other in women’s singles. Her uniquely free spirit in what can otherwise be a traditionalist sport captivated the hearts of a nation, with her striking halo-dyed hair and lip piercing underscoring her distinct energy and care-free attitude. Artists are already reimagining Liu in their work to honor her achievement and what she stands for, including muralists around her home state of California.
Muralist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. based in Venice, CA recently took his trusty spray paint to the walls of nearby Gardena for his homage to Liu, who attends UCLA. While sports murals can sometimes miss the mark, Zermeño Jr.’s piece expertly capture Liu’s likeness and essence, serving as a true testament to his craft.
After seeing the mural Zermeño Jr. had painted in LA, the Oakland-based urban street art agency the Illuminaries decided to create their own version. Oakland, CA is Liu’s hometown, after all, so it was only right for the Illuminaries to do a tribute. On a wall in the Temescal neighborhood of the city, they created their own interpretation Liu in their signature style.
The murals that come out of iconic sporting moments are one of the great off-shoots of events like the Olympics, the World Cup, the World Series, and so many others. Seeing the way images, plays, and athletes are collectively immortalized publicly by local artists speaks to the feeling of connection that sports elicit. The sports and art worlds are tightly intertwined, and it’s a joy to see them meet and mesh in such celebratory and striking ways.
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