MOH LA

From the ruins of the 1992 Los Angeles rebellions came the idea for a monument to peace.  Nijel Binns, the artist, sculptor and President of Nijart International, LLC says “I recognized the common bonds between the African and Asian communities.  I created a symbol which quickly became much more global in scope”.  A memorial for Latsha Harlins, the young African American teenager who was shot dead by a Korean store owner, soon became “The Greater Los Angeles Goodwill Monument (GLAGM)”.
 
Since 1992, the early concepts for the GLAGM received enthusiastic support from noted political figures such as former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, retired Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, Senator Diane Watson, former Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, US Secretary of Commerce Ronald Brown, and others.
 
Over the next few years that followed, work progressed slowly, but steadily.  The initial concept soon evolved as the artist recognized a greater meaning for the monument as a symbol for global peace.  During this time, the project was introduced to Nancy Crow and Kurt Baker who financed the creation of a limited edition of bronze sculptures based on Nijel’s maquette, or scale model.
 
Then, in the summer of 1995, the Mother of Humanity® monument was introduced by Qevin Oji to Teryl Watkins, President of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC).  Plans for construction soon followed and the site at WLCAC became the first and only North American location for the monumental sixteen foot bronze Mother of Humanity®. Five more installations are envisioned for the 16 foot tall sculpture to be placed in Australia, Brazil, China, India, and Spain.
 

The creation of the Mother of Humanity® gratefully acknowledges the support of Kurt Baker and Nancy Crow, Robert Watt, Qevin Oji, D. Harrison, Jean Cherie, Reije Andersson Fine Art Studio, Artisan Bronze, Ishler Design and Engineering Associates, Joe Addo Studio, Luther Pompey, Justin Hull, Damion Marques Thompson, Patrick Giles and most of all, the Watts Labor Community Action Committee.

The Mother of Humanity® name, images, and related indicia are registered trademarks of Nijart International, LLC. All rights reserved.