Brownsville Reflections: Past, Present, Future, Brownsville, Brooklyn, 2023
About
Brownsville Reflections: Past, Present, Future, is a 600-foot-long exhibition adorning the construction site of an affordable housing development at the intersection of East New York and Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The exhibition includes artworks by three artists with local ties to the neighborhood: Jocelyn Marie Goode, Laurent Chevalier, and Sophia Victor.
Photographs by Paul Katcher
Jocelyn Goode’s mural “The Return of the Horse Whisperers,” installed over Rockaway Avenue, portrays women wearing all white, riding on blue stallions in front of a bright red background. According to the artist, this mythological creation speaks to the strength, resilience, and empowerment of the women of Brownsville. “Even though you can see some of the social challenges impacting that community,” said Goode, “one thing that impressed me was the amount of creativity, the amount of raw expression, and a determination to overcome to not be limited by conditions that they did not create.”
Laurent Chevalier’s installation consists of black and white photographs of local community members. “I hope that the people who were photographed are able to walk by again and see themselves,” said Chevalier. “I hope that others are able to recognize their classmates, neighbors, peers, friends, colleagues up there, and I hope that in seeing that, they can feel that this is still their place, even when things change in it.” Focusing his lens on Black America and the African Diaspora, Chevalier’s images contribute an essential visual narrative to the ever growing photographic canon.
Sophia Victor’s installation on Chester Street presents portraits of New York City residents who have faced, and resolved, overwhelming life challenges and oppression. She hopes her work will help viewers find beauty in their everyday lives, “I don’t romanticize struggle, but I’ve learned to find beauty in every challenge and every struggle and situation, and so I hope that people can also gain that when they look at the work,” she said.
Partners & Sponsors
This project was produced in partnership with RiseBoro Community Partnership and Slate Property Group. The installation is part of City Canvas, an initiative of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
