In June 2020, the City of Newark launched the Social Justice Public Art Initiative, starting with two ground murals in response to calls for racial justice. Seven murals were completed in 2020, and additional murals will be commissioned throughout 2021.
Scroll down to see images and more information about the murals.
This Guiding Light
Layqa Nuna Yawar in collaboration with Chrystofer Davis and Jasmine Mans
"This Guiding Light" documents both the collaborative creative power present in Newark today, and the collective power seen manifested in protests across the U.S. this year. The content of the mural is represented in the images captured by Chrystofer Davis across New Jersey, a poem created by Jasmine Mans and the interpreted mural composition by Layqa Nuna Yawar.
Sojourner Truth, Founding Mother
“I learned about Sojourner Truth as a child, in grade school, and was always inspired by her tenacity, will, and futuristic vision. I wanted to shed light on her legacy, which reminds women that no matter what has happened in their lives, they can still have a powerful impact on society.”
- Grace Lynne Haynes
All Black Lives Matter
Produced in partnership with the City of Newark, Rutgers University, Project for Empty Space
On a weekend in July 2020, two of Newark’s busiest streets were painted with enormous messages promoting racial justice and equity. Nearly 300 students, artists, organizers, and residents helped paint the messages throughout the day in 2-hour socially-distanced shifts.
Abolish White Supremacy
Produced in partnership with the City of Newark, Rutgers University, Project for Empty Space
“The convergence of art and protest is an age-old practice, especially pronounced in African-American culture. Poetry, music, graphic design, and public art are all public avenues to have our voices heard. Newark is a movement City as well as a City of artists.”
- Mayor Ras Baraka
Rise Up Fallen Soldiers
By Malcom Rolling of Yendor Productions, in collaboration with Andrece Brady and Hans Lundy
Celebrated poet Ntozake Shange is centered as a focal point to represent Black resilience, liberty and justice. Ms. Shange’s smiling image is surrounded by figurative symbols that were unused models of the Statue of Liberty gifted from France to the United States.
Will You Be My Monument?
By New Arts Justice in collaboration with Four Corners Public Arts
"Will You Be My Monument" was inspired by the City of Newark's removal of a downtown Christopher Columbus statue in June 2020.
"My large-scale photograph of 8-year-old Faa'Tina next to the reflective typography and acrylic mirrors is a powerful intervention that asks us all to see ourselves through the gaze of Black girlhood."
- Scheherazade Tillet, Photographer
Whitney Houston
The 19 foot by 28 foot mosaic of the late Whitney Houston is made of more than 1,000 glass pieces, and is a tribute to the late iconic singer, who was born in Newark and sang in the gospel choir at New Hope Baptist Church as a child.