I was walking to the subway after coming from an art show. Just before I reached the train station, I came across this new mural. It consisted of various women in a colorful, exaggerated, stylized representation of the urban street culture. That is putting it very nicely in artistic terms.
In my terms, it was a HAM (a Hot Ass Mess). To me it looked like a very bad cross between Dr. Seuss and an acid-tripping graffiti artist. These women (obviously of color) were “’hood”; as in from the kind of inner-city neighborhood, most people try to stay out of after dark. I knew immediately anything that huge was commissioned to be there.
Sofia Maldonado - Times Square Mural
Of all the artwork out there representing women for possible display in Times Square “the crossroads of the world” this is the art that what was chosen? Seriously? I thought perhaps I was being overly sensitive, and seeing things that were not there, but maybe not…
“It is felt by a great many woman that this mural is an affront to hardworking Black and Latino women everywhere. It depicts them as hoes, sluts, and street walking prostitutes. Not one business or professional woman is represented in the mural for balance”
…states Community Advocate Anthony “Tony” Herbert.
Natasha D on literanista.net said..
“Many people are disgusted by the mural being displayed by Sofia Maldanado. It is a negative depiction of black and Latina women. Artists should have some social consciousness and be responsible and she is completely clueless. How dare she cause this affront to women of color. I am utterly disgusted, as well as many other women.”
Sofia Maldonado - Times Square Mural (Detail)
In fairness here is a statement from the Artist, Sofia Maldonado
“The 92-feet long mural illustrates strong New York City women as a tribute to the Caribbean experience in America. Inspired by my heritage, it illustrates a female aesthetic that is not usually represented in media or fashion advertising in Times Square. It recognizes the beauty of underground cultures such as reggaeton, hip-hop and dancehall and incorporates trends such as nail art and Latina fashion. Green organic forms represent the imaginary land that third generation immigrants create in their minds about their countries of origin. I represent the characters and happenings that tourists usually do not see in Times Square, even though it could be a frequent scene in the other boroughs of New York City. These women are strong single mothers or wives who enjoy life and have overcome tough experiences living in and immigrating from a third world country.”
I know art is subjective, but in the street vernacular “I’m not feeling this” at all.
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