Hartford Murals (2021-2022)

The city of Hartford has deep industrial New England roots, yet growing a top these roots are a variety of other vibrant Caribbean, Hispanic, Latino and African cultures. While these groups make up the majority of the population in Hartford, they are often underrepresented. One of the ways these identities attempt to be seen is through the sporadic and bold murals splashed against the industrial cityscape. More than just colorful visual images these massive urban paintings demand to be acknowledged, to be heard and to exist amongst the cold and rigid buildings. They serve as a voice for the people and cultures that their designs derive from. I was determined to explore these voices and deepen my connection with the conversations that are occurring on the walls, underpasses and buildings of Hartford. My goal was to gain a better understanding and appreciation for the city I reside half of the year in. Venturing outside the comfortable and familiar bubble I confined myself to, I found myself in unfamiliar places capturing new voices and messages. Hidden and waiting within these new streets, are immense visuals that transform the visual reality that rises around them. They attempt to change the mundane city space into one with new life and new possibilities. They offer a hyperreality for the viewer to enter into, potentially changing the way we see our world and even ourselves. Collectively, these photographs documents when the scenes of the city are changed into sudden moments of communal strength, ancestorial connection and pride. Most importantly these photos show how urban art tries to alter the visual monotony of the city and make room for other cultures and voices to be recognized.