Artist Statement: As artists, muralists, educators, and New Yorkers, we are passionate about making art that is accessible and engaging to the general public, and exploring contemporary themes that encourage public discourse. We have been involved with Sing For Hope since 2011, and we were inspired to create this SFH Piano to bring attention to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their mission of tackling poverty, improving living standards, and protecting the environment. Playing with the particular color wheel and iconography of the SDGs, we designed the artwork to exhibit its objectives in a playful manner, while coinciding with the structure and characteristics of the piano. We hope that this piece will be instrumental in bringing attention to these goals and offer colorful and inspiring opportunities for performance and expression.
Chris Soria is a visual artist, specializing in large-scale murals and dimensional artwork. Working in mediums including painting, photo-collage, digital art, and ephemeral mediums, Soria applies his versatility to a multi-disciplined mural-making practice. Soria has created and collaborated on works of art in public, private, and shared spaces for more than 20 years, with dozens of murals and street art throughout NYC and beyond. Danielle McDonald is an artist, NYC public school arts teacher, and community worker. She has collaborated with schools, shelters, cultural institutions, universities, facilities for incarcerated teens, community centers, scenic shops, and walls throughout Philadelphia and New York City. She received a BFA in painting and an MA in arts education from the University of Delaware and NYU, and continues to pursue her growth as an artist and teacher through community collaborations, travel grants, and artist residencies. She is a passionate doodler and illustrator. She has directed community murals for various organizations throughout Philadelphia and NYC and has designed multiple sets for Opera Delaware and small independent films. Danielle believes art is vital in our ability to create a more just and sustainable future, and strive for ways to build creative personal and community spaces to realize this possibility.
