'Souledad' by Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez
We commissioned Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez to create a mural at Washington Manor in the South End.
Project Details
Project Context
The City of Boston commissioned artist Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez to create this mural as part of the third round of the Transformative Public Art Program. The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture allocated more than $1 million toward murals at 10 sites across nine neighborhoods as part of the program. The total budget for this project was $87,500. The mural is located on the exterior of Washington Manor (1701 Washington St.) in the South End. On this project, Marka27 collaborated with the:
The Site
Washington Manor is a Boston Housing Authority (BHA) community for low- and moderate-income elders and people with disabilities built in 1973. The building offers about 77 apartment units in an eight-story building.
There are a variety of stores and services close by in the surrounding community, as well as a number of churches in the area. Boston Medical Center and the South End Community Health Center are nearby, along with the Blackstone Park and Community Center.
The Artwork
The mural was inspired by the long history of cultural gatherings at Villa Victoria. It depicts several symbolic images, including:
- a mother with a radiant child
- an authentic Chinese dragon
- an African textile wrap with the Puerto Rican flag and neo-Indigenous patterns, and
- Chinese symbols for prosperity, luck, longevity, and double happiness.
Victor held two meetings at Washington Manor to share his work with community members and get their input on the artwork. He also presented to and received approval for the mural by the South End Landmark District Commission.
Meet the Artist
Meet the Artist
Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez
Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez is an international street artist who works at the intersection of contemporary art, graffiti, vinyl toys, fashion and design. With paintings, murals, drawings, mix-media pieces and private commissions for major brands, his robust palette blends elements of street and pop culture with Mexican and Indigenous aesthetics—a signature look the artist has coined “Neo Indigenous.” Marka27’s work has become part of graffiti and street art history, but he has flourished as a product designer, gallery artist, toy designer and more. Marka27 has emerged as one of the most sought after muralists in the world, mastering his craft since before “street art” was even a term.
He lives and works in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he and his wife and creative partner, Liza, run their award-winning creative agency, “Street Theory Gallery”.
Related Resources
Related Resources
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