An artist has completed a giant mural in a New York City parking lot, dedicated to front line medics who have lost their lives during the pandemic, and also highlighting the disproportionate impact the virus has on minority communities.
Cuban-American artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada is the man behind the 27,500-square-foot mural near Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. He is famous for his landworks portrait “Out of Many, One” on the National Mall in 2014.
“It’s also a nod to lighting a candle as you mourn.”
The artist depicts in mask and full medical garb Dr. Ydelfonso Decoo, a front line medic who was part of New York City’s SOMOS Community Care network. Decoo was one of the first minority doctors to lose his life treating patients during the pandemic, and he has been hailed as a hero.
SOMOS comprises mainly immigrant Latino and Chinese doctors and is concerned with treating patients from marginalized communities. They were responsible for commissioning the colossal mural.
“I wanted to create a place where people could come together and mourn,” the artist explained. “Everyone feels alone, everyone’s been stuck in their homes for months on end, and it’s a spot where people can reflect on the toll coronavirus has taken.”
The artist designed Somos La Luz based on conversations with advocates, and the mural took a week to complete with the help of several volunteers.
The mural is also a tribute to minorities who have been found to be particularly susceptible to infection from the virus.