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Murals of New York
I started taking photographs of the murals I saw around town because they were moving and told a story and would often disappear without warning. Many of these murals below have already gone, never to be seen again. I’ve never lived in a community which expresses itself through murals in this way before. It’s as if each neighborhood is itself a character, a person with feelings, memories, and dreams. It is a soul that shouts to be heard. All photos are mine. I think you can tell I’m no photographer! Forgive the quality. I took these for my enjoyment only. I only belatedly thought of showing them. (copyright: Vanessa Banigo)
Because I went to the unveiling of this mural in 2018, I know it was painted by the artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh in remembrance of Trayvon Martin, the teenager shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a case that rocked and divided the nation. This mural was in a deprived area of Manhattan’s lower east side. Murals are art but also activism. As you can see, the aim was to reflect the beauty and humanity of Trayvon whose reputation was trashed by the media after his death. To show young black men that they are beautiful and valued.
