Absolutely Memorized By Tatyana Fazlalizadeh’s New Center City Mural, “Flight in-process”

This is one of those murals that even golden-hour-photos can’t quite do justice. This week, artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh completed her latest mural, titled Flight in-process, at 13th and Spruce Streets in Center City! A mural to kick off a series of soon-to-be murals created with Mural Arts Philadelphia.

“Flight pictures what it would be like for Black people to rise off the ground into the sky,” a statement about the mural reads on Mural Arts’ website. “Imagining ‘flying’ as a metaphor for liberation, escape, and transformation.”

“This painting, 100 ft in the air, is so special to me,” Tatyana wrote in an Instagram post. “I lived in the building it is painted on when I was 17 years old. This series is so special to me. I’ve long wanted to create it, and join the long list of Black artists and writers who have used the mythology of Black folk flying in their work. I’ve interviewed so far several Black people about the idea of our ability to fly. Photographed them. Discussed freedom and healing with them. More on all that to come. Including photographs, interviews, and more murals.”

At the bottom of the mural reads the following: “I let go of what has weighed me down. Light as a feather, I ride the wind. Like Black folks have always done. Flying free above the structures built to confine us.”

Longtime readers of this blog might remember many other previous Tatyana Fazlalizadeh murals and works of street art around Philly, which you can rewind and peruse here!