IT’S IN OUR DNA
A mural on a caboose commissioned by B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
2021 (10 ft x 18ft) Acrylic paint on a caboose.
The exhibition was called “Connectivity: Art at the Intersection of Rail, Community and Identity”.
The Baltimore-based artists selected for this exhibit were asked to reflect on the concept of connectivity as it relates to the railroad, our community, and our own identities. Each artwork responds to this idea from diverse perspectives, but together form a deeper insight into that which binds us all together: our networks, our shared spaces, and our relationships with each other. This street art exhibition, created in 2021, seeks to recognize all the sanctioned – and sometimes unsanctioned – forms of artwork that are an intimate part to railroading culture, as well as harness new perspectives from our local community of creatives.
The mural depicts a double helix like in DNA being supported by hands of diverse ethnic groups holding each other and the structure. The imagery of the hands represents diversity within the community, collectivism, connectivity and strength, and the imagery of the double helix represent generational efforts, roots, social structure, infrastructure, continuity and railroad tracks. The thought behind the artwork is that everything and everyone is here because of the efforts of the previous generations and their communities. Humans have a common ancestor and we owe our existence to their success.
It’s In Our DNA mural at B&O Railroad Museum was featured in the Visit Baltimore Promotional Video that aired on public television, on streaming platforms and on social media platforms.
See Below.
