[2006 Projects]
* Hunger for Knowledge...
* Follow Your Vision
* Our Community
* One Community Many...
* One World Unity
* Weeksville: Past Forward
* DEJA-VU: Which Path Will...
* Unity Arches/ Learn
Love...
* Yesterday I Dared to...
* Feels Like Home...
SUMMER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE/ One World Unity
ONE WORLD UNITY
Groundswell Community Mural Project ©
www.groundswellmural.org
Acrylic on Wall
48 x 68 Ft
2006
Lead Artist: Paul Deo
Assistant Artist: Cornell Jones
Teen Artists: Nancy Tang, Alexandra Sanchez, Amy Chung, Stephanie Ly, Christopher Campbell, Kaleisha, Brian , Carlos Guzman, Joel Genao, Juillisa, ElizabethYanes, Paola Contreras, Alexander Torres
Location: 18th Street on the corner of 5th Avenue, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
 |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
As part of our Summer Leadership Institute 2006 Groundswell partnered with Neighbors Helping Neighbors to create a mural as part of their neighborhood improvement efforts. The team of muralists interviewed members of the Sunset Park community to get ideas for mural imagery. As part of their research they heard an unusual story about a crate of parrots from the Dominican Republic that escaped from a truck in Sunset Park. The parrots migrated to the Greenwood Cemetery, which has remained their home for many generations. The parrots, like the people of Sunset Park, have come together in one neighborhood from many different places in the world. Inspired by this story, the group decided to use it as a central motif in the mural.
In the center of the mural is a tree stretching its limbs. In its center is a large heart trimmed in decorative gold leaf with white streaks and broken mirrors shooting out of it. To the left a large scroll reads FREE, an attractive word for anyone seeking a better life. Under the tree to the right is the corner of 18th Street and 5th Avenue (the mural's location) painted in the style of Romare Bearden. At the top of the tree are four cherubs representing the mix of cultures in the neighborhood: Asian, Latino, African, and White. On the right side of the mural is another cherub of mixed heritage.
“One World Unity” encapsulates the spirit of Sunset Park. The narration of the freed parrots can serve as a reminder to the community, showing how unexpected people and things come together, amazing results can take place.
This project was made possible with support from NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation, Independence Community Foundation, Puffin Foundation, Starry Night Fund at Tides Foundation, Utrecht Art Supplies, Colgate Scaffolding, Valspar Paints, Lowes, Eagle Provisions, and generosity of individual donors.