Sofia Maldonado 42nd Street Mural Catching Heat

Twenty-six-year old artist Sofia Maldonado recently celebrated the installation of her 96-foot mural on 42nd Steet in Times Square. In the video above, Looseworld interviews Maldonado (whose style very much reminds me of Fafi) about the event.  Since its installation, the mural and has come under fire for the way women, who are all black or Latina, are depicted in it. According to an article in the DailyVoice, “The mural showcases women dressed provocatively, wearing long acrylic nails, showy jewelry, bright hair colors, their bodies adorned with tattoos and piercing, and their hands equipped with knuckle braces. While some think her work is beautiful, critics have coined it ‘ghetto’ and are calling for the murals removal, saying it’s degrading to all women.”  According to Sofia’s blog, there’s even a protest planned, which is being publicized by a flier featuring her art. I can see the arguments from both side. Public depiction means so much to those whose status quo is marginalization. But still, art that creates dialogue is good because it gets people thinking and interacting. On another note, I’m putting in my official request to retire the word “ghetto” as a put down (even though I accidentally let it slip just last night!)