Urban Cultural Footprints

Urban Cultural Footprints embodies the artistic journey that artist José Manuel Cruz
takes through his life growing up in the urban city of Newark, NJ otherwise known as
BrickCity because of all the housing projects and apartment buildings in the city.

José uses the different mediums he experienced in the city from spray-paint and enamel markers to rapidograph pens and acrylics and brings us on his artistic journey one step at a time by juxtaposing his unique urban style with classical frames. The bright and bold colors play powerfully against the thick and intricate lines in his designs.

The designs are cultural footprints that lead us into his Puerto Rican and Colombian heritage as a Latino in the Americas. He’s a COLORICAN! José’s paintings are enriched with journeys that reflect his love for God, his love for music, his love for his people, his love for basketball, and his love for life.

José’s wants the viewer to take their own journey through the painting and think about what cultural footprints they may have a connection to or if they want to explore more.