Some Walls Are Invisible

  • After a long painting process, “Some Walls are Invisible” is finally completed on Brooklyn’s Red Hook waterfront.
  • Three youth participants conduct research and sketch out ideas for the final design of the mural.
  • Community members gather together and are engaged during the dedication ceremony.
  • Two students carefully paint the brick wall, shading the black and white details.
  • Youth participants take a break from their hard work to take a group picture.
  • Detail of the leftmost image taken at the dedication.
Brooklyn Artists Join Public Mural Project - NY1.com.mp4

Project Description

Dutch human rights charity Miles4Justice and the Red Hook Community Justice Center commissioned Groundswell to create a large-scale mural, entitled “Some Walls Are Invisible,” that honors the 400th anniversary of Dutch settlement in North America. The mural overlooks Valentino Park in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Fifteen young men and women researched current human rights issues to inform the design with relevant and thought-provoking images. “Some Walls Are Invisible” examines the ways that visible attributes of race and ethnicity can be invisible barriers to equality and justice. These barriers can be overcome with careful attention to our shared community and principles of human rights. The piece is comprised of two dominant images: a head that is exploding into facets and a young man holding an image of the earth with a section cut away. These images suggest that our identities and our world are comprised of powerful forces that can either drive us apart or unify us.

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Project Info

Fun Facts

Quote
“When we are doing a mural, we learn a lot of things about the theme. I've learned a lot about human rights. Now, I can say, hey, I learned a lot about human rights. I know what’s going on right now!" - Keyla Rijo, Groundswell Youth
Research
The first Europeans to settle in what is now New York were from Holland and chose Manhattan Island as their home. The city that they founded was New Amsterdam. Peter Minuit was its first director-general.
Legend Symbol
The key. Keys can symbolize openings for new possibilities in life.