The Shoulders of Legacy
3' x 60’
2021
Harlem, New York.
This mural brings together Harlem’s rich history, the hospital’s Care Team, and moments of children enjoying life. The center of the mural has an image of an African American doctor holding a child on their shoulders as they reach for a star. This image encapsulates the spirit of the mural, it shows future generations standing on the shoulders of Harlem's legacy to reach their dreams. It also represents those who take care of the patients in NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, including doctors, nurses, red nose docs, and many other staff members.
The historical legacy of Harlem can be seen on the mural’s left side with depictions of important people from Harlem's past and present, including Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, Miles Davis, Marcus Garvey, Madam C.J. Walker, James Baldwin, and Alicia Keys, to name a few. The right side is filled with images of children playing, having fun, and dreaming of the future. The mural’s pastel colors and imagery aims to brighten up the atmosphere of the hospital and create a sense of wonderment, humanize the care team, and bring some of Harlem's historical legacy to life.
This mural was created for the Harlem Hospital through NYC health + hospitals.
