Art is Everywhere
Art is everywhere. As I wander through the streets of New York, I find myself taking in the textural surroundings. Peeling paint on subway walls, the layered erosion of billboard posters, and the ubiquitous street art on every surface. Inspiration abounds within the energy of this city that lives and breathes creative expression.
Street art has the power to both highlight and contrast while presenting the vibrancy of a city. One might question the fine line between what is referred to as public art curated by suits compared with graffiti placed upon abandoned walls by under appreciated artists. For every Keith Haring, Basquiat, and Bansky, there is a creative genius hidden in the shadows undercover and equally talented.
This past year, as we huddled inside avoiding a virus that gutted half a million families, artists turned abandoned and sheltered storefronts into drive-by galleries. By transforming communities into a visual mecca, street artists kept hope alive as we have survived the unimaginable. The murals of George Floyd and Brianna Taylor, paintings of butterflies, and praying hands reminded us to stay strong, never forget, and keep working for change.
In his TED talk, Theaster Gates reminds us that “culture can be a catalyst for social transformation in any city, anywhere,” while the artist JR has exemplified precisely that. The street artist Appleton uses his voice to spread awareness and education about diabetes, and visual artist Cey Adams spreads his message through murals of love. Art. It’s everywhere, and if we keep our heads up and eyes open rather than peering down at a handheld screen, we’re bound to discover something interesting, if not magnificent.
look up and enjoy this beautiful scenery called life.
cheers, trw