located in corona park in flushing, queens, new york city, jorge rodríguez-gerada sprays paints a giant public memorial dedicated to a doctor who died from COVID-19. each life is important, unique and incalculable, especially during the global pandemic, and the work memorializes essential workers. called ‘somos la luz’ – translated as ‘we are light’ from spanish – the land mural is almost 27,000 sq ft in size, being so big you can see it from space.

jorge rodríguez-gerada spray paints 27,000 sq ft doctor mural in queens parking lot, new york
image courtesy of eduardo amorim, greenpoint innovations (main image also)

 

 

‘the large-scale works that I have created around the world convey that we need to come together to make the world a better place. the size is directly related to the importance of the theme,’ states jorge rodríguez-gerada.

jorge rodríguez-gerada spray paints 27,000 sq ft doctor mural in queens parking lot, new york
image courtesy of eduardo amorim, greenpoint innovations, via artnet

 

 

as well as its related name, corona park was chosen by the artist as it is situated in one of new york city’s hardest hit neighborhoods, which is also where a disproportionate amount of latinos have died from the virus. the mural is a homage to black, latino and the working class who form the majority of essential and front line workers – the people that make our cities move. its huge size symbolizes the importance of protecting these communities and conveys a message of unity.

jorge rodríguez-gerada spray paints 27,000 sq ft doctor mural in queens parking lot, new york
image courtesy of eduardo amorim, greenpoint innovations

 

 

wearing a face mask and head covering, the doctor immortalized in the mural is SOMOS care’s dr. ydelfonso decoo, who died from the virus. jorge rodríguez-gerada’s work was produced alongside new york city department of parks and recreation, queens museum, el museo del barrio, and make the road new york.

jorge rodríguez-gerada spray paints 27,000 sq ft doctor mural in queens parking lot, new york
image courtesy of eduardo amorim, greenpoint innovations, via artnet

 

jorge rodríguez-gerada spray paints 27,000 sq ft doctor mural in queens parking lot, new york
a close-up of the mural
image courtesy of eduardo amorim, greenpoint innovations

 

 

project info:

 

artist: jorge rodríguez-gerada

location: corona park, queens, new york city, USA

collaborators: SOMOS care, new york city department of parks and recreation, queens museum, el museo del barrio, and make the road new york