Artists Honor Immigrants in Monuments Across New Jersey
New public commissions by artists Michelle Angela Ortiz, Chat Travieso, and Immanuel Oni are part of the New Jersey Monuments to Migration and Labor initiative.
In New Jersey, a public art initiative has emerged to celebrate the cultural diversity and contributions of the state's immigrant community amid a surge of negative attitudes towards immigrants. Three monumental outdoor installations have been unveiled by artists Michelle Angela Ortiz, Chat Travieso, and Immanuel Oni as part of the New Jersey Monuments to Migration and Labor (NJMML) project.
These works were developed through consultations with over 1,000 community stakeholders and are strategically located in North, Central, and South Jersey to reflect the culturally unique experiences of prominent demographics in each region.
Supplementing the installations is an upcoming symposium at Rutgers University's Zimmerli Art Museum on October 16. The NJMML Project Director, Andrew Urban, highlighted the importance of the commemorative pieces, stating that they emphasize a balance between celebration and reflection, which should not be dismissed during times of crisis. He praised the stakeholders for their dedication to sharing their personal stories related to migration and labor.
Ortiz's pavilion pays tribute to the Nouri brothers and the Fattal family, two immigrant families who have become pivotal retail grocers in Paterson. The three monuments stand out for their dedication to celebrating and reflecting on the experiences of immigrants and laborers, according to Urban.
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