FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2024
CONTACT: Karina Diaz, Hudson County Executive’s Office
PHONE: 201-369-4386
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Today, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and the Board of County Commissioners announced the completion of a mural entitled “As Above, So Below (Past, Present, Future Forward) by artist Jesse Wright (Instagram: @sunday.rebel) located at Ocean Avenue and Bidwell Avenue. This mural is part of the Hudson County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs & Tourism Development’s County Mural Program in conjunction with the Jersey City Mural Program and the Jersey City Police Department.
“Hudson County is home to a number of extremely talented artists that help depict the stories of the people who live, work, and spend their free time in Hudson County. Mural projects like these breathe new life into old buildings while providing storytelling opportunities for local artists to highlight the many stories there are to tell in Hudson,” said Hudson County Executive, Craig Guy. “Through this mural, the artist, Jesse Wright, tells the story of an individual’s past, present, and future aspirations while showcasing the symbols that speak to her ancestry, her American patriotism, and her hopes for the future. Hudson County looks forward to spreading color and sharing joy with each mural project completed.”
“I’m grateful to celebrate and give back to Jersey City some of the color, uplift and energy that it has so richly blessed me with over the years. This mural located on the site of a community garden tells of a person’s past, present and aspirations/spirit,” said Jesse Wright, Jersey City artist also known as Sunday Rebel. “Woven throughout are floral elements suggesting the flourishing throughout her journey. The same growth we’d desire to see brought to the community from the garden. Thank you to all who participated in its creation.”
“With the recent launch of our Hudson County Mural Program, we were thrilled to be able to collaborate with the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association along with the South District of the Jersey City Police Department and the Jersey City Mural Arts Program to complete the As Above, So Below (Past, Present, Future Forward) Hudson County Mural by Jamaican-American interdisciplinary artist Jesse Wright (@sunday.rebel). The Jersey City PBOA came to us with a vision for this project and we were happy to be a part of it, bringing culture and community together in this amazing space,” said Gina Hulings, Director of Hudson County’s Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs & Tourism Development.
“I am elated that Jersey City and Hudson County could join forces on such a beautiful mural,” said Christine Goodman, Director of the City of Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs. “This mural is a wonderful addition to neighborhood that residents will treasure and enjoy for years to come. We celebrate Jesse and his artistic vision and look forward to partnering with Hudson County on future projects.”
Wright describes this mural as one that tells the story of a person’s past, present and future aspirations. The artists explains that near the bottom of the mural, the person is depicted in black and whites, as if it were an old photo, with the colors of the Pan-African flag behind her which speaks to her ancestry and past. On the right side of the mural, she is in the present and wears a red, white and blue dress acknowledging her presence here in America – Wright describes her as another version of the Statue of Liberty which can be seen from the end of the road. On the left side of the mural, we see her amongst the stars symbolic of her hopes, wishes and dreams.
For photos of the mural, click here. Properly credit as Photo by Jennifer Brown/City of Jersey City.