OAKLAND, CA – Rubbing his face quietly, the Oakland-based artist Golden State Warrior looks out of a car window. He surveys his latest graffiti piece as the paint dries in the night air. “My art is intended to stimulate consciousness,” he says.

GSW’s paintings of contemporary urban black warriors holding giant African spears are prominent in high traffic areas throughout Oakland.  “I use the warrior to bring vital information to my audience,” says GSW.

His new painting speaks d...