I am humbled and honored to see my poster displayed in the elevators at the historic 190th Street A Train Station. This station is mere steps from New York City's cultural attractions, including Fort Tryon Park, the Cloisters medieval art museum, and the Mother Cabrini Shrine. The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance has partnered with a community-led initiative known as the MTA-AU Subway Elevator Poster Project.
The MTA-AU Subway Elevator Poster Project
This project is fully rooted in the community. It is the result of efforts initiated by the Washington Heights Quality of Life Committee, chaired by Rosa Naparstek, the Director of Artists Unite. These efforts have been carried on by Artists Unite, with the unwavering support of Community Board 12 and all local elected officials. Participating artists from the community submitted original artwork that reflects the essence of the neighborhood and its vibrant culture.
The Symbolism of Sunflowers
Through the metaphor of sunflowers flourishing across Uptown’s streets, fences, gardens, and even empty lots, my "Uptown Sunflowers" poster honors the resilience and beauty of the people who shape our neighborhood. The original painting draws inspiration from the sunflower’s remarkable ability to thrive in unexpected corners of the community. Just as sunflowers exhibit persistence and an instinctual nature to turn toward light, so too do the residents of this neighborhood.
Uptown is where sunflowers rise and grow through concrete, fences, and forgotten lots, beautifying the area with their vibrant colors and unwavering determination. The winds may turn cold, yet the sunflowers continue to seek the sunlight. -FdlM
