Spring Dance Concert Highlights Identity, Culture, and Transformation

Photo credit: Jayleen Maldonado

By Arlin Rodriguez

To close out the exhibition “The Painted Word: Text, Gesture, and Expression in Contemporary Art,” Bronx-based artist The Royal Kingbee spoke at the Lehman College Art Gallery about his artistic journey and connection to the Bronx through his Rotunda mural, which anchored the exhibition.

The event, led by street photographer and author Kurt Boone, drew students and Bronx community members, highlighting the role of local artists in shaping public art and cultural identity. The Royal Kingbee’s honeycomb mural, titled The BeeUtiful Bronx, includes neighborhoods such as Kingsbridge, Belmont, Tremont, Baychester, and Marble Hill, connecting various parts of the borough in a honeycomb design. The Royal Kingbee explained that the mural represents places where he has previously created work and described it as a “full circle” moment that reflects both his artistic journey and connection to the Bronx.

The Royal Kingbee said his work has always been rooted in personal expression rather than place. “It wasn’t really the environment,” he said. “I was putting how I felt at the moment onto the walls.” He explained that, early in his career, he used graffiti to express emotions he could not openly share, often embedding personal messages into his work.

Over time, his approach changed and continued to evolve. While his earlier work focused on self-expression, he now considers the impact his art has on others. “What you put out there, especially in public, you have to be responsible for,” he said, noting that viewers interpret and carry meaning from what they see.

“I was putting how I felt at the moment onto the walls.” --Bronx-based artist The Royal Kingbee

Raysa Leon, another audience member, discussed how the topic resonated with her and how public art reflects emotion and identity. “I liked how he explained that graffiti was a way for him to express feelings he couldn’t always say out loud,” she said. Leon explained that hearing the artist describe the meaning behind his work made her view murals and street art differently, especially in the Bronx, where they are part of everyday life.

She also said the honeycomb mural stood out to her because it represents different Bronx neighborhoods coming together through art and shared experiences. “Even if people come from different parts of the borough, everybody can still relate to the message behind it,” she said. Leon added that the talk made her realize how public art can create conversations and help people feel represented in their communities.

Damien Garcia, a Bronx resident who attended the talk, also noted how the artist’s work exists in everyday spaces throughout the borough. “I’ve seen the one next to Rite Aid before,” he said.

Garcia also added that the honeycomb mural brings together various parts of the Bronx, creating a sense of inclusivity and shared identity across communities.

The Bronx has long been recognized as a center of graffiti and street art, where artists use public walls to communicate personal and cultural messages. The Royal Kingbee’s appearance at Lehman College underscores the continued influence of Bronx culture in contemporary art and the importance of local voices in shaping how stories are told through public space.