Word on the Street - Photo Essay

This is a photo essay of some of the great text art, graffiti, and advertisements that I come across in my almost daily walks in Brooklyn. Some of the writings are personal, encouraging, irreverent, lovely, or marketing to passersby. They all, in their own way, make community. Reaching out to readers rambling by shopping, pushing strollers, exercising, or promenading along tree lined streets. We are all masked up with only our eyes exposed and sometimes those are hidden behind sunglasses or face shields. We are all in our bubbles floating by which makes me appreciate these ‘postcards from strangers’ even more so because of their need to communicate, reach out, connect, and let us know we are not alone.

What I especially adore are the drawings by children that I see posted on lampposts or in windows. Some of them speaking out against climate change and saving our trees. Or one like the ‘Thank You’ drawing from a child posted in the window of the doctor’s office. These are reminders that regardless of age, background, or education – we all have a voice and want to express ourselves, connect with our neighbors, and get through these times together. Text art has always been here, even before the pandemic, but perhaps it’s now that I have a greater appreciation for it.