Deborah Rios
Law 2301
Prof. Donsky
Chico
The subject of death was never one that intrigued me until I took the Estates, Wills and Trusts
course taught by Professor Mary Sue Donsky at The New York City College of Technology.
Aside from learning about wills and intestacy law, this course afforded me the opportunity to
learn and appreciate the diverse ways individuals cope with death.
After the death of a loved one, there are those who go into deep depressions from which they
never recover from. There are also those who accept the passing of a loved one, or significant
figure in their lives, with dignity. However, there are those who are thankful for the pleasure of
knowing the people whom they have lost and celebrate the admired figure or loved one in their
lives. These grateful individuals show their appreciation for their deceased loved ones in varied
ways which include keeping the ashes of their dearly departed in an urn or some other container
while others have the remains of their loved ones made into jewelry. Still, others merely save
personal property of the decedent for a keepsake.
In the East Village of Manhattan, Antonio “Chico” Garcia, memorializes the dead with his style
of art work called “graffiti.” Graffiti, which by definition means to “deface or scribble”, burst
upon the scene of New York City in the mid 1970’s. Back then, graffiti was considered
vandalism and one could get either arrested or fined if caught writing “graffiti gangster.” This
explains why at its inception, graffiti was mostly found underground on the cars and tunnels of
the MTA subway system.
Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1963, Chico’s family migrated to New York’s
then Lower East Side when he was five years old. Having grown up in the absence of a father
figure for the majority of his childhood, Chico grew up on the streets of the Lower East Side
when graffiti was on the rise. Chico got his start at age fifteen on the numbers 1, 2 and 3 trains
where he would “tag out” or spray paint his name in bubble letters using silver acrylic spray
paint that he would “borrow” from local hardware stores. As an adolescent, one of Chico’s main
influences was Ms. Hodges, a teacher of the Madison Prep School for troubled teens. Madison
Prep was a satellite program of the former Junior High School Twenty Two, located on Houston
Street at the corner of Columbia Street (just off of the F.D.R. Drive) in lower Manhattan. It was
in this program that through Ms. Hodges Chico learned to hone his skills as an artist. Under the
tutelage of his teacher, Chico learned to appreciate the fact that he had a gift that would help to
beautify the community. Thus, making a contribution to society became Chico’s primary goal in
life. After graduating from junior high school, Chico went on to attend the New York Board of
Education’s High School for Art and Design and then briefly attended the Fashion Institute of
Technology in New York.
In the early 1980’s graffiti had become a recognized art form. So, Chico first debuted his work
in 1982 at the La Mamma Art Gallery at First Avenue and First Street in Manhattan. This
exhibition included another graffiti artist of Chico’s generation by the name of Score who like
Chico, rose up in the art world through graffiti art and computer graphics. Similar to classics
like Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso, Score and Chico are considered the “classics” of the graffiti
art world.
These days, Chico resides in Florida and frequently commutes to New York for work, as he is
often commissioned to do murals memorializing the dead. These commissions often come from
the families and friends of local decedents. Additionally, Chico is commissioned to
commemorate the passing of more prominent figures such as Salsa artist, Celia Cruz and
religious leader Pope John Paul II. There are even memorials of murder victims that Chico has
created. These specific types of murals are done with a special passion by Chico since these
particular murals of the dead are a cry for justice from the decedents, whose lives were stolen
from them, to the police and politicians of this country. Among these murals memorializing
murder victims are the deceased Tex-Mexican artist Selena who was shot and killed by the
president of her fan club. Other such memorials of murder victims include murals of Nixmary
Brown, the seven year old child who was abused and murdered by her mother and step father in
January of 2006. Also included in this gallery of murder victims are murals of Keith, V.R. and
Lilal, local young men who are no more than casualties of the Lower East Side. There is even a
mural honoring the victims of the September 11, 2001 World Trade disaster.
At age 52, Chico continues to work all over the United States and Europe. He works
commercially and his work is very well received. However, he is still the same person with the
same goals of beautifying the community and making positive social contributions. Painting
murals honoring the dead is his way of helping the community get through a time of mourning
and great sorrow.
To your right is the image of Nixmary Brown, the seven year old
who was abused and beaten to death by her mother and
stepfather. This is one of Chico’s more passionate works since
the entire community cried out for justice over the murder of
Nixmary. Personally speaking, the murder of this child should
did not have happen. Nixmary’s murder was a result of the
incompetence of child welfare services. This mural was done
on 6th Street at Avenue C in the lower east side.
Pope John Paul II. A prominent figure within the
Catholic community of the Lower East Side. I’m
not a religious person in my own right, however, I
respect the Catholic community of the Lower
East Side. This mural was located on 10th Street
off of Avenue D.
To the right is a mural honoring the Cuban Salsa
songstress Celia Cruz who in my opinion was one
of the pioneers of latino music. Celia was a
remarkable person who spread joy to her people
with her music. This mural is located on 10th
Street between Avenues D and C.
Local boy Keith was cremated and his ashes are
kept on his family’s mantel along with other
keepsake items. The mural is painted directly on
the wall of the family apartment over the mantel
while Keith’s ashes are kept in the urn next to his
photograph. Keith was of Taino indian decent,
the circumstances surrounding his death are
unknown, he was known as the “quiet” kid of the
neighborhood.
Memorial located in the Lower East Side
residence of the decedent’s family. The family
requested that their address not be disclosed.
On the side wall of the Deli at 11th Street and
Avenue C in Manhattan, socio-political artist,
Gil Scott-Heron (self named “bluesologist”).
Above is a memorial dedicated to Nelson, the local and lovable neighborhood tough guy. Nelson was reminiscent of Fonzi, the Happy Days
television series character. Nelson died in a motorcycle accident in 2012, it was a big loss to the community. This mural is located at
Avenue B and 9th Street on the Lower East Side.
Below and to your left are memorials to V.R. and Lilal, deceased sons of local
residents of the Lower East Side. These murals were commissioned by
friends and family of the decedents.
These murals take the place of tombstones. The families of the deceased
commemorate their loved ones in the graffiti art form fashion.
These memorials are located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the
vicinity of the homes of the decedents. Family request that their address
not be disclosed.
Above: General memorial to the victims of terrorism of the
September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center where
many residents of the Lower East Side were murdered and their
remains were never found. It helped many people to cope with
their loss when Chico did this memorial. This mural is located on
East 14th Street and Avenue A.
All of the above photographs of Chico’s art work come from Chico’s Website. They are included in this article with the expressed permission
of the artist.