Towering glass mosaic mural of Whitney Houston pays tribute to late singer, city’s musical roots
By Rebecca Panico | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The artist who crafted a towering mural of the late Whitney Houston by putting together more than 1,000 glass pieces on a luxury apartment building in Newark has finished her work.
The 19 foot by 28 foot mosaic was more than just a tribute to the late iconic singer, who was born in Newark and sang in the gospel choir at New Hope Baptist Church as a child. It was a way to uplift the community and remind residents along with visitors that Houston got her start in the Brick City, a place with rich musical roots.
The artwork was unveiled Wednesday in a virtual ceremony.
“It’s a great feeling to know that people are coming together to create something special for everyone,” said Pat Houston, the sister-in-law of the late singer. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that people still have that love for Whitney.”
The glass mosaic was placed alongside William House at 45 William St., which neighbors Teacher’s Village. It’s the second mural in a series of five the Grammy Museum Experience at the Prudential Center has brought to different wards in Newark.
“How do we make sure as investment comes back to cities and there’s a lot of focus on revitalizing the physical space, that we ensure that residents are able to enjoy in that economic growth and continue to move up an economic ladder?” said Prudential Foundation President Shané Harris over a social media unveiling. “And art, in many ways, is a critical driver for social change and community building.”
Maude Lemaire, who has lived in Newark for 18 years, was selected to craft the mural in the city’s downtown. She said it took about four months to properly place the pieces together and another month to put it up on the building.
“It depends on how the sun hits the pieces,” Lemaire said in an interview for the unveiling. “It’s going to give a really nice effect from downstairs.”
Houston died in 2012 at the age of 48. She was honored in 2009 by Guinness World Records as the most awarded female act of all time. She earned 6 Grammy Awards and was the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 songs, including “Saving All My Love For You” and “How Will I Know?”
She was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November.
The singer was part of a famed musical family, who also had roots in Newark. Her mother, Cissy Houston, was a member of the Drinkard Singers that also featured Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick. All of them were members of New Hope Baptist Church on Sussex Avenue in Newark.
The mural was made in collaboration with the City of Newark, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Prudential Financial, Newark Arts and Baldwin Equities – which owns William House.
Mayor Ras Baraka, the son of poet and activist Amiri Baraka, said Newark has always had a thriving jazz and blues scene that was brought from the traditional gospel music in the Deep South.
“I think Whitney Houston – who is an icon in this neighborhood and in this community, period – deserves a mural,” the mayor said. “But more importantly, people get to feel her presence in that art, still reminding them of such a beautiful voice – a melodic voice – and an incredible person.”
Newark Arts Executive Director Jeremy Johnson said the mural will allow people to get out during the coronavirus pandemic and experience art in a safe way.
“This is really going to be a major high point in the history of Newark as a place where public art is front and center,” Johnson said.
The GRAMMY Museum Experience has honored Houston in other ways. In 2018, the museum showcased her awards, clothing and other memorabilia in an exhibit.
The museum also unveiled a mural of three-time Grammy award-winning rapper Wyclef Jean in the city’s West Ward about two years ago.
Separately, the city in recent weeks unveiled murals in Newark from other artists and groups.
Grace Lynne Haynes was the artist behind the Sojourner Truth mural on Edison Place, while the poet Ntozake Shange is showcased in a mural on Crawford Street by Yendor Productions President Malcolm Rolling, Andrece Brady and Hans Lundy.
Artist Layqa Nuna Yawar, photographer Chrystofer Davis and poet Jasmine Mans created the mural on McCarter Highway that depicts activists, a child in a mask and a father. The Four Corners Public Art Project also completed the second phase of the Will You Be My Monument project on Treat Place, which features a picture of a girl who celebrated her eighth birthday the same night the Christopher Columbus statue was removed from Washington Park.
