Glass mosaic artwork by Firelei Báez for the 163 St-Amsterdam Av subway station in Upper Manhattan includes two platform wall murals and two mezzanine level murals, creating a lively and lush environment underground. The artwork is steeped in the artist’s Caribbean cultural heritage and that of the neighborhood, with the title being derived from the novel “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz. Tropical and North American leaves and vines are intertwined with intricate patterns and hand symbols representative of the communities in Washington Heights, incorporating healing imagery familiar to many cultures and inspiring a vision of hope for the future. Ciguapas, powerful feminine figures from Dominican folklore, join passengers on the daily commute.

Mayer of Munich translated the artist’s atmospheric paintings and drawings into the luscious mosaics. Báez’s art works on many levels, exploring the identities of women, myth and tradition while bringing a unique perspective as a Dominican-Haitian artist. At the station opening, local residents immediately identified the culturally specific elements in the artwork, such as azabache bracelets (worn by newborns), plantains and the tropical foliage that mingles with depictions of local flora. Residents engaged the artist in discussion about the traditions represented. In a community which boasts the largest Dominican population outside of Santo Domingo, the artist wanted to ensure that it was relate-able on different levels to all who use the space. In speaking of the installation, Báez said, “Because it was public work, I wanted a certain level of transparency”, for residents to be able to say “this is me” or “this is something I recognize as my own”. She added, that mostly, “I wanted Dominicans to just revel in it”.