New Zolin Mural in the Garment District

Last fall I received word that BKSK Architects were looking for a mural for their 16th floor lobby of the Bricken Arcade Building in Manhattan’s Garment District. Having recently researched that area for another project, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to convey: the energy of a million sewing machines channeled into a gestural cityscape inspired by the area’s architecture. The firm’s partners and lobby team appreciated my hand-drawn gestural approach, so I carried that into the final product. I traded up my typical china markers for the thickest charcoal sticks I could find.

Back-and-forth with the client is typical for a project of this kind, and I created several series of drawings and models, attempting to draw more closely to their vision. They wanted the mural completed by the end of the year, so while their Office was closed between Christmas and New Years, I went in and created it, finishing with the fixative around 9pm on New Years Eve. You could already hear the crowds nearby in Times Square. 

When the office staff arrived back on Tuesday morning, it was as if the mural had magically appeared. The partners and staff were pleased with the piece- they recently sponsored a Happy Hour in their office where I gave an artists talk about my artwork, and how it led to what I had created for them. It was a very special and unique experience.