Breathe

“Breathe”, the mural reflects on the importance of clean air for all and pays tribute to New York City’s extraordinary biodiversity. Today 99% of the world’s population breathes unsafe air, with the impacts falling disproportionately on women, children, the elderly and low-income communities.

The artwork depicts a young Manhattan woman surrounded by dark purple skies—a reference to the 2023 wildfires that blanketed NYC in smoke. Yet, as we zoom in on her, she breathes deeply and meditatively, creating a halo of light from which life can emerge again. Around her swirl leaves of acacia, oak, and maple trees, alongside the resilient Opuntia Humifusa cactus, still rooted between the High Line’s train tracks. Both fragile and strong, this cactus anchors renewal—purifying the air and offering refuge to life. Butterflies take flight, symbolizing metamorphosis and highlighting the resilience and biodiversity of New York City itself.

Created in partnership with @unep and @FAO to support the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration—a worldwide initiative to reverse nature loss and revive critical ecosystems, and also in partnership with @theclimategroup as part of the official 2025 #climateweeknyc conversations.

This mural was made possible thanks to the kind support of the @cemofoundation and @stephaniecemo.

Organizer Street Art for a Minkind