Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada spray painted the giant public memorial. Every life is important, unique and incalculable and the work memorialises the hard work and sacrifice of essential workers. Called Somos la Luz – ‘we are light’ in Spanish – the land mural is almost 2508 square metres in size, and is so big that it can be seen from space.

“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 Rodríguez-Gerada.

In addition to its related name, Corona Park was chosen by the artist as it is situated in one of New York City’s hardest-hit neighbourhoods, which is also where a disproportionate number 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 cities move. Its huge size symbolises the importance of protecting these communities and conveys a message of unity.

Wearing a face mask and head covering, the doctor immortalised in the mural is Somos Care’s Doctor Ydelfonso Decoo, who died from the virus. Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada’s work was produced alongside the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Queens Museum, El Museo Del Barrio, and Make the Road New York.

Via designboom | Images courtesy of Eduardo Amorim, Greenpoint Innovations