Roberto Lugo
"We Here" is a community art project by Roberto Lugo in Kensington, Philadelphia, featuring three 11-foot interactive sculptures based on Lugo’s ceramic works. Developed with Mural Arts' Porch Light program, these vessels reflect local residents' lives, culture, and resilience. Serving as three-dimensional murals, they are inspired by Lugo’s roots and are accompanied by public programs like pottery workshops and children's book distributions. Launched in summer 2024, this initiative aims to uplift and celebrate the Kensington community.
Mural Arts Philadelphia
Three Kensington Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
EPS Foam, Steel, Urethane Hard Coat, Paint
78” x 65” x 132” Each
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About
Roberto Lugo: We Here
Johnson Atelier worked with Roberto Lugo Studio for the second time in two years. He is one of the Atelier’s favorite collaborators!
The We Here vessels were created by Roberto Lugo as three-dimensional murals to be placed in his hometown neighborhood of Kensington, Philadelphia. These three smaller versions of the larger 22-foot vessel, originally created for Grounds for Sculpture in 2022, allowed Roberto to finally place his work in the neighborhoods where he grew up.
He worked directly with Mural Arts and the Porchlight program to develop a series of images and icons to be painted onto the vessels once completed. The studio collaborated closely with our team throughout the entire fabrication process. As with the original vessel for Grounds for Sculpture, Johnson Atelier worked with the artist to create a three-dimensional form. That form was then milled in foam, assembled, hard-coated, and prepared for the artist’s studio to paint by hand. The project consists of three unique 11-foot-tall vessels, each placed in a different neighborhood in Kensington. Each vessel features unique imagery reflective of the community where it would reside. The studio was on-site, in residence, painting the vessels over a six-week period earlier this spring.
In the summer of 2024, these three vessels were launched in the neighborhoods of Kensington and are still being celebrated by the community today.
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