Woodside-61st Street

John Cavanagh

Commuting/Community, 1986

Porcelain enamel on mezzanine walls

Commuting/Community reflects John Cavanagh's impressions of Woodside, a Queens neighborhood where railroad and subway lines intersect. The two photo-montage murals are related to one another in revealing the daily life of Woodside's residents. Both murals spell out "Woodside" using letters based on neighborhood sites. The murals reflect the contrasts present in this city neighborhood, from the rushing train overhead to the pleasant street life below. In another scene, the artist juxtaposes children playing in the park with adults commuting into the city. The portrayal of the community is offered to Woodside, in Cavanagh's words, "to provoke, stimulate, console, strengthen, and enjoy."