Migration is a community mural by Haitian American artist Madjeen Isaac. The design visualizes the journey of immigrant residents to the Flatbush neighborhood and the ways in which they carry the legacy of their ancestors. This beautiful mural was commissioned by Haiti Cultural Exchange with support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and Council Member Farah Louis, and in partnership with the Department of Transportation’s Art Program (DOT Art) and Little Haiti BK.
Watch the HCX video on the making of “Migration” by clicking on the image below:
See more work-in-progress photos by Richard Louissaint here.
Watch Lakou NOU artist Madjeen Isaac tell us about her experience beautifying this Flatbush mural highlighting the migration experience here.
Madjeen Isaac specializes in oil painting, as she focuses on creating images based on her Haitian American culture. Growing up in a neighborhood where it is predominantly Caribbean immigrants, Isaac allowed her process to give her a sense of purpose from the memories and cultures that have shaped her. She says, “Flatbush is where I have lived most of my life. Flatbush is a place that emits culture and hustle. Overtime, I have developed a concern for immigrant youth and children of immigrants, becoming “Americanized” or assimilated out of fear, without reflecting back on the culture of their ancestors”. Her works are based on celebrating one’s existence and differences while showing patronage to the Haitian culture. Madjeen currently attends the Fashion Institute of Technology, and is expected to receive her BFA in Fine Art, May 2018.
Her focus as Lakou NOU artist-in-residence working in Flatbush was to expand her work by focusing primarily on Haitian youth. She facilitated art making workshops with a core group, guiding them to weave in the parts of their culture that are not so obviously relatable nor taught at school. These workshops covered topics as such, “ how will the youth go about exploring their culture and forming their own identities? ” and “ how can art making be a catalyst in forming narratives about the Flatbush community in the perspective of the youth?”