Maple Tree of Love Tapestry: Public Art Installation by Lina Puerta

Maple Tree of Love Tapestry: Public Art Installation by Colombian-American Artist Lina Puerta, co-organized by KODA and Montefiore Fine Art Program and Collection

Dates: July 2021 - October 2021

Location: Montefiore's Moses Campus, Courtyard adjacent to East 210th Street entrance, 111 East 210th St, The Bronx, NY 10467

Organizers: KODA Arts Inc. + Montefiore Fine Art Program and Collection

Bronx, NY - An outdoor art exhibition featuring the work of Colombian-American artist, Lina Puerta, is being displayed outside the Montefiore’s Moses Campus, in the Bronx. As a previous inhabitant of the Bronx, Lina Puerta’s work touches upon the connections she had made in the community, paying particular homage to the Red Maple trees lined outside the Montefiore Medical Center. The Red Maple, indigenous to North Eastern America, is a tree with great meaning and a symbol of strength and endurance, providing medicine, food, dyes, and beauty. Lina Puerta’s Maple Tree of Love Tapestry portrays the Red Maple in full bloom, reminding us of hope and renewal, even in trying times. Along with the majestic tree, the tapestry features the Rosy Red Moth, a frequent inhabitant within the Red Maple, embodying healing and transformation. Finally, at the base of the tree, is the image of outstretched and open-palmed hands reaching skyward, a tribute to the care given and the gifts received by the humans around it.

„I am pleased to collaborate with Lina Puerta and KODA in the creation of Maple Tree of Love Tapestry. Lina's mural has transformed The Gallery in the Gardens' visual appeal in a healthcare environment while also recognizing the importance of "green" spaces in the Bronx.”—Jodi Moise, Director, The Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Medicine

The Maple Tree of Love Tapestry is made of recycled and repurposed plastic materials including vinyl signage and waterproof fabrics from patio furniture (sourced through Materials for the Arts) and individual donations. The work is woven, embroidered and appliqued through hand and machine sewing.

Lina Puerta examines the relationship between nature and the body. She utilizes a wide variety of materials in her sculpture — concrete, clay, resin, wood, foam, fabric, artificial plants, paper pulp and handmade paper; craft and recycled items. With these materials she creates textural forms and compositions that blend the human-made world with the natural, exploring notions of control, consumerism and life's fragility. Her artistic process is in great part guided by the physical qualities of the materials, their textures, forms and colors; and informed by concepts of femininity, fashion, sexuality and artificiality. Lina Puerta was born in New Jersey, raised in Colombia and lives and works in New York City. Puerta holds an MSEd in Art Education from Queens College/CUNY and has exhibited internationally.

The Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore is an innovative visual arts program that enhances and supports the restorative environment in service to the patients, their families, and Montefiore associates. As the University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore is nationally recognized for clinical excellence – breaking new ground in research, training the next generation of healthcare leaders, and delivering the highest quality, patient-centered care. Montefiore’s mission- to heal, to teach, to discover, and to advance the health of the communities – serves as the driving force behind all of the work, including the Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Medicine. The Collection is integrated into the daily life of Montefiore, fostering a life-affirming, restorative, and supportive environment for patients, families, caregivers, students, faculty, and staff.

KODA is a social practice nonprofit arts organization focusing on conceptual mid-career artists ingrained in social justice. KODA offers survey exhibitions as well as tailor-made and community-based artist residencies, through collaborations with socially engaged partners. The nonprofit serves the community with contemporary art events and outreach to strengthen arts education. In its overall mission to support the artistic and professional growth of artists, KODA acts as a laboratory for creative concepts, reflecting its core values of curiosity and collaboration.

Instagram handles

@koda.lab

@montefiorefineart

@linapuertaart

Hashtags #KODAlab #LinaPuerta

For media inquiries please contact

Klaudia Ofwona-Draber, Founder and President KODA

+1 (929) 303-2884 or klaudia@kodalab.org