Find Gorman’s mural on the corner of Laguna Street and Page Street in San Francisco.
SF-based artist Nicole Hayden commemorated poet Amanda Gorman in mural form, just 5 days after Gorman’s Inauguration Day recitation of her poem “The Hill We Climb” went viral.
The San Francisco Zen Center, a Buddhist temple with several locations in San Francisco, commissioned Hayden to create this incredible mural on the side of their Page Street building. It features Gorman reciting in her Inauguration Day attire and surrounded by dozens of butterflies.
[Image: Instagram / @nicolehaydenart]
As a child, Gorman struggled with a speech impediment and used poetry as a way to cope. At 16, she became LA’s youth poet laureate, and three years later she became the first national youth poet laureate. This year on January 18th, she made history as the youngest known inaugural poet.
[Image: Instagram / @nicolehaydenart]
Gorman’s poem caught the entire nation’s attention on Inauguration Day this year. Some notable quotes from “The Hill We Climb” include:
“We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what just is isn’t always justice.”
“Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.”
“…because being American is more than a pride we inherit. It’s the past we step into and how we repair it.”
“And every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful, will emerge battered and beautiful.”
Find a video of Gorman’s recitation and a transcript of the entire poem here.
Be sure to find Hayden’s spectacular mural commemorating Gorman on the corner of Laguna and Page streets in Hayes Valley.
[Featured Image: Instagram / @nicolehaydenart]