Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X Tribute Art

Art inspired by the civil rights leaders.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired the world to embrace racial equality through nonviolent action. As we honor the contributions of the late civil rights icon during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, take a look at how artists have interpreted King’s message of peace.—Britt Middleton  - Perhaps the most famous of all artistic interpretations of King is his likeness etched into stone at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.(Photo: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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An Artists' Interpretation  - Both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X inspired the world to embrace racial equality. As BET.com highlights their contributions during Black History Month, take a look at how artists have interpreted their message of peace. — Britt Middleton Location: 1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. Perhaps the most famous of all artistic interpretations of King is his likeness etched into stone at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.(Photo: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Glowing Tribute - Location: Corner of MLK and Bellfort Streets in Houston This mural found in Houston also features President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. It was unveiled ahead of Obama’s second inauguration on Jan. 19. (Photo: Nick De La Torre, Staff / Houston Chronicle)

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Glowing Tribute - Location: Corner of MLK and Bellfort Streets in Houston This mural found in Houston also features President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. It was unveiled ahead of Obama’s second inauguration on Jan. 19. (Photo: Nick De La Torre, Staff / Houston Chronicle)

Photo By Photo: Nick De La Torre

Words of Wisdom - Malcolm X mural photographed by Flickr user kspencerg.  (Photo: Courtesy of Facebook)

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Words of Wisdom - Malcolm X mural photographed by Flickr user kspencerg. (Photo: Courtesy of Facebook)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Facebook

Peace Plaza -  Location: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta Artist Louis Delsarte's mural at pace Peace Plaza is located opposite the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta.  (Artwork: Louis Delsarte's Martin Luther King Mural, Peace Plaza in Atlanta, GA.)

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Peace Plaza - Location: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta Artist Louis Delsarte's mural at pace Peace Plaza is located opposite the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta. (Artwork: Louis Delsarte's Martin Luther King Mural, Peace Plaza in Atlanta, GA.)

Bold Statement - Mural photographed in Los Angeles By Camilo Jose Vergara.(Photo: Camilo Jose Vergara/LA Times)

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Bold Statement - Mural photographed in Los Angeles By Camilo Jose Vergara.(Photo: Camilo Jose Vergara/LA Times)

Photo By Photo: Camilo Jose Vergara/LA Times

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One Man's Walk -  Location: Peeples St. in Chattanooga, Tennessee  King's face shines on a street in Tennessee. (Photo: AP, Dan Henry/Chattanooga Times Free Press)

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One Man's Walk - Location: Peeples St. in Chattanooga, Tennessee King's face shines on a street in Tennessee. (Photo: AP, Dan Henry/Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Powerful Imagery - Mural photographed in Los Angeles by Camilo Jose Vergara. (Photo: Camilo Jose Vergara/LA Times)

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Powerful Imagery - Mural photographed in Los Angeles by Camilo Jose Vergara. (Photo: Camilo Jose Vergara/LA Times)

Photo By Photo: Camilo Jose Vergara/LA Times

Courageous Leader - Photographed in Detroit, Michigan, by Camilo José Vergara. (Photo: smithsonianmag.com)

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Courageous Leader - Photographed in Detroit by Camilo José Vergara.(Photo: smithsonianmag.com)

Spiritual Path - Photographed in Chicago, Illinois, by Camilo José Vergara. (Photo: smithsonianmag.com)

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Spiritual Path - Photographed in Chicago by Camilo José Vergara.(Photo: smithsonianmag.com)

King’s Speech - Mural in Los Angeles, California, photographed by Camilo José Vergara. (Photo: smithsonianmag.com)

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King’s Speech - Mural in Los Angeles photographed by Camilo José Vergara. (Photo: smithsonianmag.com)

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Mosaic Tribute - Mosaic, featured on DeviantArt, an online art collective, by user unmarkedloved, for an illustration class.(Photo: Courtesy unremarkedlove.deviantart.com)

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Mosaic Tribute - Mosaic, featured on DeviantArt, an online art collective, by user unmarkedloved, for an illustration class.(Photo: Courtesy unremarkedlove.deviantart.com)

History Speaks - Location: 3260 23rd Street  This image of Malcolm X is part of La Lucha Continua "talking mural" in San Francisco. (Photo: Scott Braley/ Freedom Archives)

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History Speaks - Location: 3260 23rd Street This image of Malcolm X is part of La Lucha Continua "talking mural" in San Francisco. (Photo: Scott Braley/ Freedom Archives)

Photo By Photo: Scott Braley/ Freedom Archives

All Come Together - "Further the Dream” mural at the Martin Luther King Jr. School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  (Photo: wishwallmural.com)

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All Come Together - Location: 100 Putnam Ave. Cambridge, Massachusetts "Further the Dream” mural at the Martin Luther King Jr. School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.(Photo: wishwallmural.com)

I Have a Dream  - Mural in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, photographed by Camilo José Vergara. (Photo: smithsonianmag.com)

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I Have a Dream  - Mural in Philadelphia photographed by Camilo José Vergara. (Photo: smithsonianmag.com)

Shades of Change - Location: 6016 McNutt Hall, Hanover, New Hampshire Painting is part of the African and African-American Studies (AAAS) program at Dartmouth College. (Photo: Dartmouth/Facebook)

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Shades of Change - Location: 6016 McNutt Hall, Hanover, New Hampshire Painting is part of the African and African-American Studies (AAAS) program at Dartmouth College. (Photo: Dartmouth/Facebook)

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Love Your Enemies - “Love Your Enemies” created by the S.A.G.E. art collective of New Jersey.  (Photo: Courtesy TCNJ Bonner Center Arts)

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Love Your Enemies - “Love Your Enemies” created by the S.A.G.E. art collective of New Jersey.  (Photo: Courtesy TCNJ Bonner Center Arts)

Famous Faces - Location: Throop Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Street mural featuring Malcolm X, Bob Marley and Stokely Carmichael. (Photo: Courtesy of WAMU/American University)

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Famous Faces - Location: Throop Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Street mural featuring Malcolm X, Bob Marley and Stokely Carmichael. (Photo: Courtesy of WAMU/American University)

Peaceful Words - Inspired by King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, featured on DeviantArt, an online art collective, by user lefgozerdesign.  (Photo: Courtesy lefgozerdesign)

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Peaceful Words - Inspired by King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, featured on DeviantArt, an online art collective, by user lefgozerdesign.  (Photo: Courtesy lefgozerdesign.deviantart.com)

Face Forward - “A Great Man Once Said,” featured on DeviantArt, an online art collective, by user Godzilla123456.(Photo: Courtesy godzilla12356.deviantart.com)

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Face Forward - “A Great Man Once Said,” featured on DeviantArt, an online art collective, by user Godzilla123456.(Photo: Courtesy godzilla12356.deviantart.com)