NYC Health + Hospitals unveiled a new mural as part of the Community Mural Project run by the health system’s Arts in Medicine department. The mural, Healing Portraits at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, was developed by artist Tijay Mohammed through a series of focus groups with community members, staff and patients and brought to life at a paint party where the community was invited to paint the mural together. The mural pays homage to the vibrant Harlem community and medical pioneers who have left an indelible mark on Harlem.
Healing Portraits is one of nine new murals created in the past year, building on the 26 murals created in the first wave of the Community Mural Project, which are featured in a new book, “Healing Walls: New York City Health + Hospitals Community Mural Project 2019-2021.” The program is made possible through the support of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
The Community Mural Project is believed to be the country’s largest public hospital mural program since the 1930s, when the depression-era Works Progress Administration commissioned murals in public buildings, including virtually every hospital in New York City’s public healthcare system.
The WPA murals were the start of NYC Health + Hospitals art collection, which is the city’s largest public art collection and includes more than 7,000 pieces of art of multiple disciplines. The art collection is used to enhance the healthcare environment, inspire creativity, promote wellness, increase access to the arts and engage staff. For more information, visit nychealthandhospitals.org.
