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Featured Artist: Yuzly Mathurin

Today's featured artist is Yuzly Mathurin⁠. She is a Haitian-American Artist based in Los Angeles.⁠ We asked Yuzly a few questions about her practice as an artist working in public space.

Q: How did you start doing art in public space?⁠
A: I started doing public art in Miami in overtown. I did my first mural painted along side Kadir Nelson for Urban Inc. of negro league baseball players. It was my first experience seeing the effect of public art uplifting and educating the community.⁠

Q: What is one piece of advice you'd like to give businesses who want to commission art in public space?⁠
A: (That) Businesses would research the artist they would like to commission and see if they really want that style of work on their building/give the artist creative freedom but to stay within the agenda of what they want. Also pay the artist a fair wage for their work because mural painting is definitely construction work, it's just prettier.⁠⁠

Q: What is one resource that has helped you with your art career? ⁠
A: Organizations like Living Walls Atl. made a huge impact on my mural career with helping to mentor me on a large scale project. I had the best experience working with them on my Adult Swim Mural and because of them I'm now equipped to paint large scale murals. Mural workshops help as well and my friend, Fabian Williams, (@occasionallsuperstar) has helped me a lot too. He's an amazing muralist in Atlanta that has mentored me.⁠

Thank you Yuzly for sharing!

Check out more of Yuzly's artwork on her Instagram page @yuzlymathurin and at yuzly.com ✨✨✨