Survive
By Brandan “B-mike” Odums | Mural | The Justice Center, New Orleans | Captured 2026
As I hurried through the rain to buy supplies at the closest grocery near my hotel, I encountered ‘Survive’. Its quiet, solemn aura is emphasized by the words "This water tells my story," which instantly evoke New Orleans's complex history with water.
The artwork is more like a painting created in a street art style. The foreground features the water, the middle shows the man holding his son, teaching him to swim, and the background is an untouched wall proudly displaying its cracks and imperfections.
It has a subtle, solemn presence. At the top, it reads, "This water tells my story."
Every time I look at it, I find new details and surprises. The haloed figure mirrors the golden halo over the child. Handwritten words such as “LIMONADAS" and "HAZ,” along with phrases and poetry, are scrawled into the waves. The father's textured skin, covered with scars and stretch marks, reflects B-mike’s frequently used phrase, 'We're still here.'
This is one of the most captivating and thought-provoking murals.
The Backdrop
Survive is painted on the side of The Justice Center in the Art District. The building has long served as a central community space for progressive criminal justice groups and aligns with the mural’s message.
The inspiration for the artwork originated when The Young Artist Movement artists were encouraged to reflect on the central question: “What are the beauties and challenges of New Orleans?” From their discussions, the theme of water emerged, symbolizing both the city's lively culture and life source, as well as representing the trauma of the devastating floods during Katrina.