A Conversation with NYC Public Artists in Residence Andre D. Wagner and Sophia Dawson

The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs’ Public Artist in Residence (PAIR) program is a municipal residency that embeds artists in city government to propose and implement creative solutions to pressing civic challenges. Artists for the 2020 cycle included Andre D. Wagner, Sophia Dawson, Yazmany Arboleda, and Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya.

Earlier this year, Shirley Levy (Cultural Affairs Chief of Staff) held a video conversation with artists Andre D. Wagner and Sophia Dawson to discuss their work with the NYC Commission on Human Rights and Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.

Learn more about the PAIR program: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dcla/about/pressrelease/PR-2020-08-27-Artist-Residence.page.

Video Credits:

Andre D. Wagner
Credit as the “New York City Commission on Human Rights Artist in Residence” and a statement to the effect that “This program is funded by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the New York City Commission on Human Rights.”

Sophia Dawson
Credit as the “Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Artist in Residence” and a statement to the effect that “This program is funded by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.”

The following images were included in this video:

1. Sophia Dawson, “POLITICAL PRISONER QUILT” (2020). Acrylic and mixed media on sewn canvas, 8’ x 12’.

2. Sophia Dawson, “FAMILY PORTRAIT” (2018). Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, two panels 48" x 60”.

3. Sophia Dawson, “EVERY MOTHER MURAL” (2017). Acrylic and parachute cloth on wall, 15’ x 60’.

4. Photograph by Andre D. Wagner. Sabrina Brockman in front of Grandchamps from the Black Business Solidarity Initiative: “You Do It With Your Heart” (2021) series created in partnership with the NYC Commission on Human Rights and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

5. Photograph by Andre D. Wagner. Chef Cheryl Smith in front of Cheryl’s Global Soul from the Black Business Solidarity Initiative: “You Do It With Your Heart” (2021) series created in partnership with the NYC Commission on Human Rights and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

6. Photograph by Andre D. Wagner. Jamila McGill and Alfonso “Ali” Wright in front of Brooklyn Tea from the Black Business Solidarity Initiative: “You Do It With Your Heart” (2021) series created in partnership with the NYC Commission on Human Rights and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

7-10. Photographs by Andre D. Wagner of The Sikh Cultural Society Gurdwara community taken during his residency with the NYC Commission on Human Rights in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs.

11-13. Photographs by Andre D. Wagner of a housing rights protests at Hudson Yards taken during his residency with the NYC Commission on Human Rights in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs.

14. Childhood photograph of Sophia Dawson and her sister. Courtesy of Sophia Dawson.

15. Childhood photograph of Sophia Dawson and her mother. Courtesy of Sophia Dawson.

16-17. Photographs of Sophia Dawson working on paintings with students from the Youth Leadership Council during her residency with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice in partnership with the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Photos courtesy of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

Видео A Conversation with NYC Public Artists in Residence Andre D. Wagner and Sophia Dawson канала NYC Department of Cultural Affairs