‘Streets Award’ winning artist Iena Cruz paints for GreenPoint EARTH in New York, 2020

On Wednesday, October 21, GreenPoint Innovations (GPI), Newtown Creek Alliance and the Hunters Point Campus community hosted the unveiling of a public art mural created by artist Federico Massa a.ka. Iena Cruz winner of the GreenPoint EARTH 2020: Screens2Streets ‘Streets’ Award competition. 

This public artwork illustrates the past, present, and future of NYC’s Newtown Creek. The mural highlights the link that waterways have with industrialization, climate change, environmental justice, and the health and well-being of local communities.

Titled ‘High Tide,’ the mural honors nature and its essential role as a resource in humankind’s past and present era of industrialization. As an official part of Climate Week NYC and the SDG Action Zone during the UN General Assembly, the aim of GreenPoint EARTH 2020 and this mural is to highlight the necessary role of climate solutions, as we build a better future and tackle climate change. Elements in the art – stacks, gantry, blue heron, cormorant, sassafras, grasses, are inspired by its Long Island City and Newtown Creek location. GreenPoint Innovations

The mural is located in Long Island City, New York City – directly across the East River from the United Nations Head Quarters and facing towards the mouth of Newtown Creek. 

The artist was selected by a multi-disciplinary judging committee for his track record creating environmentally themed public art and for his complimentary vision of pushing the public art community towards more sustainable practices.

“This piece will inspire young people who have already proven themselves as leaders in the climate crisis and show that art and purpose can help us build a greener, healthier and sustainable future.” Stephen Donofrio, Curator

Check out the finished mural below…

Funding for this project was provided by the Environmental Protection Fund as administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute.

Photo credit Just_a_spectator

Comments

comments