Sky of the first water, 2022

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Sky of the First Water (2022) is an abstract, topographically inspired mural meant to resemble a body of shallow water. The mural is an homage to the original Bahamian founders of Coconut Grove and the elongated island shape is a reference to the land formations found in the Caribbean. Although entirely abstract, the island form also resembles a floating female shape of the goddess and Queen of the Sea, Yemaya. The 376 plates are engraved by hand with a connecting wave pattern and the mica-paint shifts tones reflecting the sun from silver at dawn to gold at dusk. The backdrop above the mural is the everchanging sky. The initial concept of the piece is based on a performance where a large piece of canvas is tossed from the roof of a building by the artist and suspended in air. After this act of liberation, the canvas is cut into modular quadrants resulting in a tactile building system of empowerment.

Platform 3750  The project is a public-private partnership between Cornerstone Developers and Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) that aims to incorporate residential, commercial, and office spaces in this highly desired neighborhood. The new facility will host CAHSD offices, the Cornerstone corporate office headquarters, and new commercial space including tenants Aldi and Starbucks. The complex features one eight-story mid-rise apartment building with five elevators, and a combination of 113 market-rate and 76 affordable units. 

Sky of the First Water, 2022  

Engraved aluminum with Kynar metal coating, 

147’ wide X 36’ high X 3’’ deep  

Platform 3750, 

3750 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, Fl 33133 

Photo by Pedro Wazzan  

Courtesy of Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, 

Art in Public Places Trust