Laced and Found and @socalgal213, LIFT ATX, 1005 Springdale Rd, Austin, Texas 78721
Artist statement: With this being our second year in a row participating in the You Are Not Alone Mural Project our statement is different than last years. Last year this mural resinated with us due to my own personal mental health from being in the military and my struggles dealing with PTSD. This year we dedicated this project to Riki's two cousins who unfortunately passed away two weeks apart from each other due to their own dark and personal struggles with mental health. Their struggles lead to drug usage that ultimately became the cause of their death. This has been a very tough past few years in understanding the bridge between mental health, depression and the role that drug abuse plays in dealing with such important internal battles. They were beautiful souls, amazing sons, artists, cousins and very caring and funny individuals. We miss them dearly and the message of You Are Not Alone is one that we wish we stressed more. Painting this message this year at the location we chose was a decision made with the community in hopes that it can reach thousands more everyday.
Artist bios: Jay “Laced” Rivera and Riki Rivera are graffiti muralists known as Laced and Found. Jay Rivera was born and raised in the South Bronx, New York. During the 90’s in the Bronx, graffiti was in heavy rotation and an essential part of hip-hop culture in New York City. Along with tagging, Laced worked on his skills and began painting murals by the age of 16. Riki Rivera was born and raised in Southern California. As the other half of Laced and Found, Riki has been creating large scales murals since January of 2018. In 2018 they launched Laced and Found, which provides murals, custom artwork, clothing and so much more. Since its launch in January of 2018 Laced and Found has painted over 400 projects including murals and custom work. All of the work done by them is done primarily with spray paint, keeping true to the style and culture of graffiti artists.