Artist Statement

The paintings that I have chosen to submit are an artistic expression of the “Beyond the Bricks” theme. In them, I pass through the facades of Yorkville businesses and encounter the people, past and present, who contribute their skills and services to the community. They are emblematic of the diverse and colorful palate of individuals who emigrated from other shores and have made the neighborhood their adopted home.

These individuals represent an eclectic group of nationalities and cultures one could only find in a New York enclave. The people I have depicted are a constant reminder that the idea of a peaceful and respectful coexistence is not only attainable but is an empirical reality. Each individual is an important and irreplaceable “brick” in the architecture of our community.