Artist pays tribute to his mother’s community garden in East Harlem

Garden to be demolished this year due to redevelopment in the area

Inspired By The East Harlem Community Gardens And In Celebration Of The 40th Anniversary Of Earth Day At The Somniac Gallery

New York – Oliver Rios, founder of Orios Designs Co. , brings you The Magic Garden (TMG), an exhibit inspired by a community garden in East Harlem. TMG was founded in 1991 by Lydia Roman (Oliver’s mother). After 15 years of its prominent existence in the neighborhood, the community garden, located at 118th St. and Park Ave., will be demolished due to redevelopment. Through this exhibit, Oliver hopes to raise awareness on the importance of gardens in urban communities and also to motivate residents in supporting those gardens that are still in existence.

Oliver Rios is bringing you “The Magic Garden” a once in a lifetime exhibit featuring trees as you’ve never seen them before. The Magic Garden is inspired by the community garden created by Lydia Roman located in East Harlem, better known as El Barrio to its residents. The Magic Garden depicts a mix between psychedelic images and bursts of color in which nature has never reflected. This exhibit represents Rios’ passion for nature and the importance it is for the community and its culture.

Oliver Rios was born and raised in Spanish Harlem. Graffiti murals and airbrushing in the late 80’s and 90’s gave Oliver popularity in El Barrio. Oliver now focuses his energy building Orios Designs, a graphic design company which uses digital photography, graphic design and illustration to help raise awareness for important issues such as breast cancer, AIDS and the environment.

The Magic Garden exhibit will be held at The Somniac Gallery, 332 East 116th St. in East Harlem, on April 22 from 6-10pm.

See the artist’s work here.