"The Artist," by Jeff Henriquez 2021

Jeff Henriquez is a New York City-based artist specializing in photorealistic painting. Jeff gained recognition in the gallery scene through his large-scale monochrome portraits depicting the homeless and displaced. Over the past 20 years, Jeff has been actively painting murals across NYC, Massachusetts, and the country.

The Artist features a young Black girl dressed as a European aristocrat, assuming the role of a painter in front of a canvas, referencing the history of European fine art. Notably, the girl holds a spray can, symbolizing street art, and has incorporated spray-painted lettering on her canvas, prominently displaying the word "Worthy." Jeff's intention with this piece is to provoke contemplation on the lack of inclusivity in fine art throughout history, as well as asserting that American-born art and street art are equally deserving of recognition as fine art. Jeff's design also aims to amplify and integrate the message of the BLM mural created in 2020 by 16 local artists. Jeff's composition communicates that their efforts and the underlying message are also worthy.

This mural was partially painted using the GoodSpace Murals method of community-engaged mural making

IG: @jeffhenriquezart

This mural is located at 232 Worthington St.