Columbus artist Adam Hernandez has unveiled a new mural titled ‘We the People/Nosotros la Gente’ at 1014 Parsons Ave., aimed at honoring immigrant workers in the community. This work comes in response to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities that have heightened tensions in the area.

Artistic Response to Community Concerns

Hernandez’s mural, created in partnership with the Central Ohio Worker Center and the Nook/JPS Print Shop, features nine figures representing the diverse workforce of Columbus’s South Side neighborhood, including auto mechanics and restaurant employees. Each figure is depicted wearing a mask, a signature element in Hernandez’s work, symbolizing the strength and resilience of these community members.

The artist’s inspiration for the mural was partly drawn from a personal experience earlier this year when he witnessed an ICE raid while working on another project. This event, coupled with the broader impact of Operation Buckeye, has left many in the local art community feeling vulnerable and anxious.

Celebrating Heritage and Resilience

Hernandez emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of immigrant workers and their ancestral heritage. He hopes the mural serves as a reminder of the power and dignity inherent in their labor. ‘I wanted to remind people of our ancestry and where we come from,’ Hernandez said, reflecting on the historical significance of masks in his art.

While the mural does not overtly criticize ICE, it subtly challenges the normalization of their presence and actions in the community. Hernandez believes that by portraying working people, particularly minorities and Latin individuals, in a positive light, his art can make a meaningful difference.

The public unveiling of ‘We the People/Nosotros la Gente’ is scheduled for June 11, from 4-5 p.m., inviting the community to engage with the artwork and its message of unity and strength.

Original reporting: Matter News (Columbus) — read the source article.