Artist Statement: Sidewalk Symphonies is a visual celebration of the city’s pulse—where conversations overlap, laughter echoes from park benches, the aroma of sizzling food fills the air, and distant music ties it all together. Each face, abstract yet familiar, reflects the vibrant voices of a community connected by the rhythm of shared experience. Drawing inspiration from my own upbringing in the heart of the city, this piece captures the unspoken melodies of people coming together, exchanging moments, and simply existing in harmony.
Dana Barnes is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and educator based in New York City whose practice centers on slow design, cultural archiving, and community engagement. As a first-generation Jamaican American, Barnes draws from Afro-Caribbean traditions to create functional art and participatory installations using textiles, papier-mâché, and found materials. Their work explores the intersections of craft, memory, and material storytelling, reflecting themes of resilience and adaptability. Through Day Off Studio, Barnes cultivates collaborative making and bridges art, design, and cultural preservation.
