New York, NY – St.Patrick’s Cathedral unveiled a monumental new mural today celebrating immigrants and shared humanity, a project spearheaded by artist Adam Cvijanovic and involving a team of approximately 30 people. The expansive artwork, completed after a fifteen-month process encompassing sketching and painting, aims to visually represent the interconnectedness of all people, regardless of background or belief.
Cvijanovic, whose previous large-scale works include a mural sequence depicting American battlefields at the Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis and a depiction of a scene from D.W. Griffith’s Intolerance for a New York gallery, approached the cathedral commission with a focus on spatial integration, drawing upon his upbringing influenced by his Serbian immigrant architect father and the teachings of Bauhaus master Walter Gropius. He deliberately eschewed formal art school training, preferring an independent approach. “I didn’t want to make art the way they would teach,” Cvijanovic stated.
The mural features intricate details, including stripes of gold leaf, platinum, and heated titanium applied by an experienced gilder. Cvijanovic spent five months sketching the design in his Brooklyn navy Yard studio, followed by nine months of painting, frequently assessing the work’s impact by taping sketches to the cathedral walls. The artist emphasized the importance of acknowledging a shared human experience,stating,”We’re all in this together,whether we like it or not…shared humanity means shared humanity. It’s not reserved just for whom you get along with.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who is set to retire and recently faced criticism for comparing a murdered activist to St. Paul, publicly affirmed the mural’s message at its presentation, stating, “some have asked me, are you trying to make a statement about immigration? Well, sure we are, all right? Namely, that immigrants are children of God.” The artwork’s diverse representation includes models from various religious backgrounds and political affiliations, including supporters of Donald Trump, underscoring Cvijanovic’s intention to portray a broad spectrum of humanity.
