Amid deportations, immigrant artist confronts fear through street art - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Yamlek Mojica

February 10, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Johanna Toruño, a Salvadoran-born artist and founder of the Unapologetic Street Series, uses bold street posters to address immigration, queer identity, and dignity. Based in Los Angeles, she transforms public spaces into platforms for political expression, creating art that sparks dialogue and resistance amid rising fears over deportations. Her work is both visually striking and deeply personal, serving as a form of solidarity and visibility for marginalized communities. Toruño’s journey began in El Salvador, where she experienced the aftermath of a brutal civil war. This shaped her understanding of art as a collective, political act. After moving to the U.S., she dropped out of high school but later found her voice through street art. Her posters, often featuring imagery tied to Latinx culture and identity, have appeared in cities like New York and Bologna. Despite evolving styles, her focus remains consistent: making politically charged art accessible to the communities it represents. Amid heightened federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, Toruño’s work has taken on new urgency. Her posters, such as one invoking the Virgin of Guadalupe, call for protection against violence and displacement. These pieces are more than aesthetic statements—they are public declarations of resistance and hope. For Toruño, street art is a form of infrastructure, bridging gaps between

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/10/2026