This is a press release that has been contributed to the AmNews but has not been vetted or verified but that may be of interest to the community.
NYC Health + Hospitals unveils a new mural as part of the Community Mural Project run by the health system’s Arts in Medicine department.
The mural, Legacy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, was developed by artist Dister Rondon 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.
“This mural stands as a tribute and ode to The Young Lords and their movement — a testament to the collective strength of people united against the illusion of a sustainable capitalist system,” said artist Dister Rondon. “While our journey continues, The Young Lords reshaped healthcare, not because of America, but despite it.”
Legacy is one of nine new murals that have been 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 generous support of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
The mural depicts the Young Lords’ takeover of Lincoln Hospital in 1970 as a pivotal moment in the fight for improved healthcare and patient advocacy. Through their activism–alongside residents of the neighborhood–they not only challenged the deplorable health conditions for patients and staff, but also confronted racial and class inequalities embedded within the healthcare system.
Holding a megaphone is Felipe Luciano, a key figure in the Young Lords movement, along with protesters Iris Morales and Denise Oliver-Velez, raising their fists and embodying the spirit of activism and resilience as they unite in the fight for social justice and equality. On the right side of the mural, a tender depiction of a woman cradling her baby adds depth to the narrative. Her arm bears a tattoo of roses, representing beauty and strength amidst adversity.
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is a vital health anchor in the Bronx,” said Rick Luftglass, Executive Director of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. “It is well understood from decades of research that the arts are an effective tool in healing. The Community Mural Project is a perfect example of how the NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine Program utilizes the arts to improve health and address staff burnout and compassion fatigue, as well as bring joy and solace to all who enter the hospital. We are proud to help make it possible.”