Karen Fiorito
PUBLIC ART
“We Stand for Law and Order” juxtaposes an eery, 1922 black-and-white photo of a hooded, anonymous mob of horse-mounted Ku Klux Klan members, with a comparable 2025 version of unidentifiable, terrifying masked ICE agents. “I wanted to make the comparison between ICE and the KKK because both groups employ the use of masks in order to give their members a sense of power, anonymity and impunity.
Phoenix, AZ (July 3, 2025) – The level of damage and chaos Donald Trump has levied on all aspects of the U.S. government and American life during his first 6 months in office, inspired “Swamp King” by California artist Karen Fiorito, symbolically portraying the damage sustained by critical government infrastructure, imperious “nose thumbing” at the courts, disdain for the “rule of law” and human rights, and all manner of self-dealing.
'UNITY’ represents 5 hands of different skin tones spelling the word unity in American Sign Language with a rainbow starburst background. This mural is a call for people of every race, creed, gender, ability or disability to come together.
“We Stand for Law and Order” juxtaposes an eery, 1922 black-and-white photo of a hooded, anonymous mob of horse-mounted Ku Klux Klan members, with a comparable 2025 version of unidentifiable, terrifying masked ICE agents. “I wanted to make the comparison between ICE and the KKK because both groups employ the use of masks in order to give their members a sense of power, anonymity and impunity.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Los Angeles-based artist and activist Karen Fiorito designs billboards and murals - which she uses along with social media and interactive websites - to educate the public and to create debate and awareness about important issues concerning the future of our planet.
“Know Your Zoonoses” billboards were installed at 10 locations across the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles on April 19, 2021, just in time for Earth Day. These billboards were made possible by a grant from the Puffin Foundation and information supplied by the UK vegan charity Viva!
The VOTE! billboard was designed to remind people that this election is not about party politics or one candidate; it is about voting for the values in which we believe. Whether it is the President of the United States or a local judge, every vote matters.
(2004) Altered Billboard parodying the official motto of the United States.
“Know Your Zoonoses” billboards were installed at 10 locations across the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles on April 19, 2021, just in time for Earth Day. These billboards were made possible by a grant from the Puffin Foundation and information supplied by the UK vegan charity Viva!
PAST PROJECTS
Fiorito started doing public art in Phoenix, AZ as part of her MFA thesis exhibition. She and Beatrice Moore started the Grand Avenue Billboard Project in 2004 with her 'Dear America' billboard criticizing the Bush administration's war in Iraq. Since then, she has had 15 designs in 34 different locations and formats, including Cape Town, South Africa.
