The New York City Department of Sanitation unveiled its newest Trucks of Art series, a unique art project that challenged artists to beautify five 20-ton collection vehicles with hand-painted designs. The selected artists used their nearly 400 square feet of “canvas” to highlight cleanliness, sustainability and New York’s Strongest, the 7,500 uniformed men and women who keep New York City clean, safe and healthy.
“Our collection trucks are a part of New York City’s urban landscape, and these talented artists have transformed them into roving works of art that will inspire New Yorkers on a daily basis,” said DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “I appreciate all who shared their time and talent to give back to their neighborhoods with beautiful and unique messages.”
One truck was painted by young artists involved with the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development.
“DYCD was proud to be selected for the Trucks of Art program and accomplish three priorities of Mayor Adams and the administration: agency cross-collaboration, promoting environmentally friendly zero-waste initiatives, and connecting young people to safe and engaging activities,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “Trucks of Art drew on the talent being nurtured by our community-based organization partners: The Door Center for Alternatives, United Activities Unlimited, and Commonpoint Queens. Thank you to Commissioner Tisch, DSNY’s ‘New York’s Strongest’ staff, muralist Jeremy Nunez, and the amazing DYCD team for giving young people the opportunity to tap into their inner van Gogh, Kahlo, and Basquiat.”
The selected artists painted their trucks over a nine-day period at the Department of Sanitation’s Central Repair Shop in Maspeth. Trucks of Art was also a zero-waste challenge, with artists using cans of New Yorkers’ unwanted paints collected from the Department’s SAFE Disposal Events, Special Waste Drop-off Sites and from BigReuse. Artists were chosen from among more than 240 submissions from as far away as Israel and Sweden.
Following Friday’s unveiling, each of the five trucks will be sent to a different borough, where they will immediately begin collections routes.
The Queens truck was painted by Rymie (she/her), a Rockaway-based illustrator and muralist. Rymie’s commercial work spans a variety of industries and subject matters but the common thread throughout her portfolio is a queer, wiggly energy, and blasts of bright color.
“Every New Yorker plays a role in minimizing our environmental impact but without the dedication of the DSNY Work Force, living peacefully in our incredible city would be impossible,” Rymie said. “My participation in the Trucks of Art challenge is a thank you to this work force and Queens itself. I hope the mural reminds folks of our own agency in keeping New York beautiful.”
Rymie was assisted by fellow artists Molly Snee and Kayla Rymer.
Rymie can be found on Instagram @Rymie
The Bronx truck was painted by Respect The Pound Artist Donnell “Jigga” McFadden. Normally using shoes as his canvas of choice, Jigga gives back to the community in many different ways. From free classes to mentorship, he has many different avenues of philanthropy.
“The blueprint is like a preparation for success,” Jigga said. “I strive to give my community the recognition it deserves through a representation that best expresses hope. Showing the world that anything is possible if you just believe.”
Jigga can be found on Instagram @Jigga_What_Jigga_Who
The Brooklyn truck was painted by Yukiko Izumi, a Sunset Park-based freelance graphic and mural designer. Born in Japan, Izumi received a Bachelor of Art and Design from Bunka Gakuen University in Tokyo, a Master of Living Environment Studies from Bunka Gakuen Graduate School in Tokyo, and a Master of Arts from Designskolen Kolding in Denmark.
“My interest in working for environmental issues and social good initially drew me to this program,” Izumi said. “Reducing garbage and increasing composting participation can lead to a big change if everyone participates in it, and Trucks of Art offered me the opportunity to use my professional design and drawing skills to deliver that message in a unique way. I also loved the idea of making my favorite city better and cleaner, and of using paint that might have otherwise been discarded.”
Izumi was assisted by fellow artists Ji Yong Kim, Himeka Murai, Julio Jose Austria, Kazuki Onohara, Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Tatsuya Matsushita, Yasumasa Segawa, Shigeko Janet Fukaya and Hiroaki Konaka.
Izumi can be found on Instagram @yi_design_jp.
The Manhattan truck was painted by Timothy Goodman, a Greenwich Village-based artist, designer and author. Goodman’s art and words have populated walls, buildings, packaging, shoes, clothing, books, magazine covers and galleries all over the world. His first solo gallery exhibition, I’m Too Young To Not Set My Life On Fire, was on view in Manhattan in 2021. He teaches at SVA in NYC, and his graphic memoir I Always Think It’s Forever will be out next year.
“It’s important for me to create art for schools, nonprofit orgs, and cultural institutions in NYC because public art gives a sense of ownership and pride to the people in those communities,” Goodman said. “I’m a proud New Yorker, so it’s a dream to draw all over a DSNY truck because art should be accessible to everyone, especially those working to clean up our city.”
Goodman found on Twitter @timothyogoodman and on Instagram @timothygoodman.
The Staten Island truck was painted by a team of young people led by Jeremy Nunez, Career Advancement Coordinator for The Door’s Advance and Ear Pus program—as part of a submission from the city’s Department of Youth and Community Development. Nunez is responsible for assisting at-risk young people ages 16-24 in successfully completing secondary school and transitioning into post-secondary education and employment. By providing participants with The Door’s integrated services, he seeks to provide motivated young people with the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to successfully transition to adulthood.
“My work involves inspiring young people to tap into their creative side, and it has been gratifying to work with these young people painting this Trucks of Art mural,” Nunez said. “When I see an opportunity to make the city better, I seize that opportunity and take advantage. It is so important that we keep hold of our creativity in a world full of uncertainty.”
Joining Nunez in painting the truck were youth participants Tiana Camacho, Fatima Farrukh, Hansa Pandya, Charisma Danquah, Natalie (Mac) Shamalova, Kevin Wong, Aubry Suarez and Miri Bawa. Also joining in the painting were DYCD staff members Becca McDonough-Baratta, Valerie Mulligan, Sarah Whitney, Megan Keenan-Berryman, Zain Khan, Diane Arweiler, Melanie Patterson, Catherine Grullon-Lewis, Jacklyn Chan and Leilah Molina.
