Washington, DC artist Nicole Bourgea has embarked on a unique project that captures the essence of everyday city life through impromptu urban portraits. Her initiative, "AS IS: An Urban Portrait Project," aims to bring fine art to the streets and spark conversations about human connection in a digital age.
Nicole Bourgea, known for her large-scale formal oil portraits, has taken a different approach with her latest project. Instead of working on commission, she has painted eight portraits of everyday people she encountered on the streets of Washington, DC. These subjects range from a Georgetown woman dressed in white and carrying a white dog, to a server in a long apron standing outside Ben's Chili Bowl, and a man enjoying a pastry on a city street.
After showcasing these paintings at a Sneak Peek event at The Dunes (1402 Meridian Pl., NW, Washington, DC), Bourgea plans to place each portrait at the location where she met the subject. Each painting will be accompanied by a note that reads: "If this is you, this painting is yours to take." This gesture is intended to surprise and delight the individuals featured in her work.
In an email to Patch, Bourgea explained her motivation for the project:
"In a world where most human interaction is strained down to its digital pulp, this project asks the question 'Do we really see each other anymore?' by bringing fine art onto the street. I believe that while the attention that we pay to each other requires very little of us, we don’t often give it away freely. I want to tell people that they are seen. It is my hope that in some small way this project will ignite conversation about the power and the gift of notice."
Bourgea's project highlights the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 31% of U.S. adults report being online "almost constantly," which can lead to a sense of isolation and disconnection from the physical world around them (Pew Research Center, 2021). By bringing fine art to the streets, Bourgea hopes to remind people of the value of face-to-face interactions and the simple act of noticing one another.
Nicole Bourgea's "AS IS: An Urban Portrait Project" is a testament to the power of art in fostering human connection and community engagement. By placing her portraits in public spaces, she not only celebrates the individuals she paints but also encourages others to take a moment to truly see and appreciate the people around them. This project serves as a reminder that even in a digital age, the simple act of noticing one another can have a profound impact.
For more information on the impact of public art, visit Americans for the Arts.
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