With Anti-Asian violence rapidly increasing since the pandemic, now is the time to raise awareness and hold space for the Asian community. NYC based Korean/Spanish artist/muralist Bianca Romero, partnered with NYC's Mayor's Office, NYC Immigration Deparftment, NYC Dept of Anti-Hate Taskforce, NYC Thrive, and painted a massive 2,000 Sq Ft public mural in NYC's Lower East Side to address anti-Asian anti-racism sentiments and hold a space to represent the Asian community.

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Location: Delancey St / Eldridge St Lower East Side NYC

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About the Mural

The phrase “hold space for…” has been recently popularized as a notion of allowing or creating space physically, mentally, and emotionally present for someone. It means putting your focus on someone to support them as they feel their feelings. An important aspect of holding space is managing judgment while you are present.

 

The concept for the mural is to literally hold space to acknowledge the Asian community, and to claim space. Generally speaking, it’s been deep rooted in Asian culture, especially in America to try to blend in, not cause waves, not be loud or disruptive. This mural aims to challenge that notion by rightfully claiming presence and space for the Asian community to be represented, to promote unity, compassion, and justice.

 

With Anti-Asian violence rapidly increasing since the pandemic, now is the time to raise awareness and hold space for the Asian community. The recent wave of attacks has highlighted the community’s need to unify and speak up.

 

Bianca has selected different people from the Asian community to be the muses for her mural. Each person is holding a handful of flowers, to represent holding space for themselves, and for each-other. Holding space for compassion, love, solidarity, growth.