Catherine Newman

Life As It Is
Year: 2006
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 18" x 25"

Artist Statement:

What Does Harlem Mean To Me?

Stable and affordable housing.  After living and working downtown for over 20 years I was priced-out of Lower Manhattan.  No longer a hospitable neighborhood for working artists, who are not millionaires, I was forced to look elsewhere.  I moved to West Harlem five years ago and now have plenty of room to live and work comfortably.  I have a neighborhood rich with history, diversity and the friendliest people in New York.  People say hello to me on the street - perfect strangers.  That never happened downtown.  I love Harlem.  Harlem is home.