Aunties
Aunties honors the women within our lives who passionately nurture and embolden our community. In Harlem, these cultivators of culture, organizers and style icons have fearlessly called us to action across generations.
This assembly of large-scale figures reflects the monumental spirit of those uplifting our neighborhood, embedding life into our homes, schools and shops, across buzzing avenues, streets and boulevards. Created with layers of wood, the vibrantly painted material is a reminder of heritage craft traditions and our connection to land.
Fanal lanterns typically made during the holidays, reflect architectural styles in Haiti combined with the creative imagination of the lantern creator. Building a world that is not currently present yet possible.
In this larger form, it invites the community to experience the illumination on a larger scale as an architectural intervention.This sculpture created with wood, acrylic and paint also connects to West African painted compounds and decorative metal homes, celebrating a range of local cultures in Harlem
Tied to craft traditions throughout the diaspora that showcase the ingenuity of utilizing materials at hand, I find this mirrors the power of our individual actions within our homes, villages and neighborhoods. One light sparks another, and our collective actions create a new world.
Fanal: Fe Limye
NYC HEalth And HOSPITALS UNVEILS COMMUNITY MURAL
Presenting my newest commission “We Gon’ Be Alright” for the Kings County Hospital Wellness and Recovery Center. This mural celebrates and honors the community here that shows up each day for each other throughout the challenging journey towards recovery. Addiction affects people of all backgrounds and this center is a space where everyone converges. Together healing and wellness is possible with the constant affirmation that no one is alone WE Gon’ be alright.
Unique in it’s process, following the initial community sessions I had onsite open studio hours where patients and staff joined to paint. We listened to bbq jams, talked about life and shared the grief and joy that finds us all. It was transformative and hard to say goodbye yet I’m beaming with pride over the piece we created together.
Sponsored by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund
Available to view on the Bloomberg Connects App
Elmont Community Mural
In collaboration with the Elmont Memorial High School and Elmont Community groups, I was honored to add a piece to Elmont Walls.
Located on an expansive retainer wall, the 36’ wide mural is an abstracted and boldly colored tribute to the multifaceted Caribbean and Immigrant women who give us strength, light and inspiration.
Facing local businesses, schools, and spiritual spaces, this wall will continue to inject beauty into our busy days. Inspiring people in the community to pause, discuss and imagine.