an ongoing series:

First - Generation New Yorkers 

This body of work explores the artistic influence of First Generation New Yorkers on todays New York City art scene. Drawing from my own experience as a First Generation New Yorker and artist, born in Washington Heights to Colombian and Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, this project delves into how multicultural and intersectional identities shape artistic practices.

Participants shared reflections on their childhoods, the cultural dichotomies they navigated, and the pride they carry in being both NewYorkers and cultural hybrids. Visual and material culture—such as food, music, dialects, and family traditions—emerged as central elements of identity and inspiration. Each narrative is paired with an original painting of the participant’s hands at work, capturing the symbolism and storytelling power held within their creative tools, personal items and symbolic ones. Through these artworks I hope to highlight a clear, ongoing contribution that First Generation New Yorkers have to the city’s evolving artistic landscape, while redefining what it means to be an artist rooted in multiplicity. This study contributes to the limited but growing research on the artistic lives of children of newcomers and affirms the value of lived experience, cultural layering, and artistic representation.

  • The artist recommends listening to the interviews while observing the artworks.

  • Listen to the interviews for each painting here.

  • Participate in this series here.

Geraldine (B. 1989) Jewelry Designer and Hair Braider. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Dominican born parents.

Geraldine (B. 1989) Jewelry Designer and Hair Braider. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Dominican born parents.

Delainy (B. 2000) Visual artist, Educator and Curator. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Dominican born parents.

Delainy (B. 2000) Visual artist, Educator and Curator. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Dominican born parents.

Ashley (B. 1997) Visual artist, Educator, Model, Writer, Creator. Born and raised in Washington Heights, New York City.

Ashley (B. 1997) Visual artist, Educator, Model, Writer, Creator. Born and raised in Washington Heights, New York City.

Linda (B. 1965) Painter, Printer Maker and Sculpture. Born and raised in Bronx, New York to an New York born mother and Greek born father.

Linda (B. 1965) Painter, Printer Maker and Sculpture. Born and raised in Bronx, New York to an New York born mother and Greek born father.

Shea (B. 1994) Cartoon Artist and Abstract Artist. Born and raised in Queens, New York and Long Island, New York to a mother from Jacksonville, Florida and a Dominican born father.

Shea (B. 1994) Cartoon Artist and Abstract Artist. Born and raised in Queens, New York and Long Island, New York to a mother from Jacksonville, Florida and a Dominican born father.

Kadeem (B. 1990) Muralist, Pop Artist, Surrealist, Portrait Artist. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Trinidadian born parents.

Kadeem (B. 1990) Muralist, Pop Artist, Surrealist, Portrait Artist. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Trinidadian born parents.

Yomira (B. 1996) Artist and Educator. Born and raised Uptown, New York to a Colombian born mother, Dominican born father and raised with Puerto Rican bonus parent.

Yomira (B. 1996) Artist and Educator. Born and raised Uptown, New York to a Colombian born mother, Dominican born father and raised with Puerto Rican bonus parent.