"Flowers Of The Empire" | Vaseline Mended Murals

A full image showcasing the mural "Flowers of the Empire." Three Indigenous faces return the viewer’s gaze. The man on the left and the woman in the center share similar facial markings, which are three black lines drawn horizontally under the eyes and starting at the bridge of the nose. The top line is solid while the middle line is dashed; the bottom line takes a sharp turn at the cheekbones and curls down next to the mouth on both sides.

An angled shot of the mural before it was mended. Graffiti has been drawn over all of the faces, obscuring them.

A close-up of the artist, Robert Vargas, seen from the side beginning to mend the mural using a brush.

A picture of the artist from behind as he is mending the mural. He wears a hat and a black shirt bearing his name.

A side-by-side comparison of the mural before and after its mending.

Where to find this mural: 33 Wyckoff Ave
Brooklyn, NY
Artist: Robert Vargas

About this Mural

Robert Vargas’ mural Flowers of the Empire is located just two blocks from his other mural in Bushwick, but has a very different message. The mural is inspired by three siblings he met while painting in Bushwick, and the three faces represent the past, the present, and the future in this community. These are the flowers of the community that must be protected, nurtured, and watered so that they can grow to be strong and confident.

A colorful mural of sunflowers overlaid on a dark blue-violet background with musical notes.

A dark-skinned Black man holding a palette and siting in a chair looking at the viewer.

A group of people visiting an outdoor area near a clinic.

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