A Bronx artist is using her work to celebrate culture, history and the people who have made an impact on their communities.
Gloria Zapata, a Honduran-born, Bronx-raised artist, creates colorful silhouette portraits honoring cultural icons and influential figures. Her work features familiar faces including Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Selena and Frida Kahlo.
Zapata said she has been creating art for as long as she can remember but began focusing on silhouette portraits about five years ago. What started on smaller canvases has since grown into larger pieces and public artwork displayed throughout the community.
“As a Black Latina, I feel like we should always remember our culture,” Zapata said. “A lot of historic, historic, iconic people have left an imprint.”
Some of Zapata’s work can now be found inside the 138th Street Community Garden, including a mural of Frida Kahlo surrounded by colorful flowers, butterflies and birds.
Zapata created the mural with artist Andre Trainer. She said the piece took about a month to complete after weather conditions delayed the work.
For Zapata, public art is also a way to give back to the neighborhood that helped shape her.
“I’m here doing more, community artwork and public artwork for the community, bringing culture and color,” she said.
As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, Zapata hopes her work can introduce a new generation to influential figures while keeping their stories and legacies alive in the Bronx.