Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 7:07
Key Takeaways
A new artistic project taking shape in San Francisco's Mission District is shedding light on a complex historical issue. Diné artist Victoria Canby is currently developing a powerful mural that examines the lasting impacts of nuclear colonialism on Indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide.
Located along Clarion Alley, the mural serves as a visual timeline of regions harmed by atomic facilities, weapons testing, and waste dumping. Canby collaborated with Kyoko Sato, an associate director at Stanford University, to conduct extensive research before applying paint to the wall. Their combined efforts highlight connections between various global locations, including Congo, Nevada, and Japan.
At the center of the piece stands a genie, referred to as Nazo or the yellow monster in Navajo tradition, positioned against an exploding atomic bomb. Canby notes that the detonation of the first nuclear weapon in 1945 fundamentally altered the planet. Red dots scattered across the mural mark specific coordinates where nuclear activities have caused harm, illustrating the widespread and ongoing nature of the crisis.
In general, a lot of people are not educated on what nuclear colonialism is, and how far it reaches into all of these different realms, Canby said. It embodies so many other issues: Water and ethics and morality and, like, do you know who is holding this power?
This project adds to the vibrant street art culture of San Francisco's Mission District, a neighborhood renowned for its political murals and community-driven installations. Canby previously worked in the same alley in 2023, painting a piece focused on Native plants and intertribal healing. Her professional background spans education, museum curation, and community advocacy, which deeply informs her current creative direction and public engagement strategies.
Nuclear colonialism refers to the disproportionate placement of nuclear testing sites, uranium mines, and radioactive waste dumps on Indigenous lands and low-income neighborhoods around the globe. The term gained traction as activists and scholars highlighted the severe environmental degradation and health crises faced by populations in places like the Marshall Islands, the Navajo Nation, and parts of Central Asia.
Canby aims to complete the mural in the coming months. She hopes the installation will engage daily commuters and locals, encouraging them to scan a QR code for deeper insights and reflect on the ethical dimensions of energy production. As San Franciscans navigate upcoming elections and policy debates, this artwork provides a vital cultural checkpoint on global responsibility and environmental justice.
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