the city of hagerstown — a historic and topographically unique area in western maryland — is undergoing a major cultural rejuvenation. a wave of public art experiences and installations, community spaces, and other art-themed amenities form part of the new ‘hagerstown cultural trail’, set to become a destination for locals and visitors alike. both internationally recognized and up-and-coming artists are taking part in beautifying the urban landscape through site-specific works that seek to engage with their surroundings.
among the participating creatives is alex brewer, also known as HENSE — a public artist and painter widely recognized for his signature expressionistic murals. HENSE took on the task of transforming a huge scale industrial complex into a prismatic and bold beacon for the city of hagerstown.
all images by miguel martinez
across four industrial sites — a monolithic landscape of buildings with a heavy, looming presence — HENSE has painted a vibrant, energetic colorscape that totally transforms the character of the community. ‘the mural of unusual size’ is a tableau of multicolored geometries, expressive lines, and bold blocks of blue pigment — a mega-mural spanning more than 80 feet high. HENSE used 170 gallons of paint to turn this once-obtrusive architectural site into an artistic landmark along the hagerstown cultural trail, blending his signature graffiti heritage and painterly techniques.
