Muralist Camerin Nesbit to implement community vision for riverfront art
Work is set to begin this week on the next phase of the Black Lives Matter mural located along the riverwalk under the Fort Duquesne Bridge along the Allegheny River. Pittsburgh-based artist Camerin “Camo” Nesbit will begin implementing a new mural that has been inspired by his community engagement on the site over the past year and an evolution of the Black Lives Matter message.
Photo by Emmai Alaquiva
Mr. Nesbit is the Artist Resident at the site in partnership with Riverlife as part of the nonprofit organization’s “ArtWalk on the Allegheny” initiative to bring immersive works of temporary public art to a two-mile stretch of riverfront between Point State Park and the Strip District.
The mural will join the sculptural installation “Invisible Ecologies” by Brooklyn-based Future Green Studio, located immediately upriver of the Fort Duquesne Bridge site, as the first two installations in the ArtWalk initiative. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is also a partner in the ArtWalk initiative.
The new mural, which will be painted throughout the next two weeks, is described by Mr. Nesbit as vibrant, colorful portraits of local Black faces of excellence, greatness and inspiration, with additional elements from the natural world.
The Black Lives Matter mural was created under the Fort Duquesne Bridge last summer by a group of Pittsburgh muralists in response to the killing of George Floyd. While Mr. Nesbit was not involved in the creation of the original mural, he formed a group of Black artists to implement a re-imagining of it several days later with the support of the original artists. Over the past year, he has worked with Riverlife on a vision to grow the riverfront area into a showcase for local and international muralists.
The portraits of four Black Americans killed by police violence–Mr. Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Antwon Rose, and Ahmaud Arbery—painted on the adjacent bridge piers have been documented by photographer Emmai Alaquiva and will be reimagined as part of the new mural.
Photo courtesy Camo Nesbit
“The goal of the artist residency is to devise the best way to maintain the Fort Duquesne Bridge site as a destination for healing, strength, and enlightenment,” said Mr. Nesbit.
“Camo has led this process with a very mindful approach toward honoring the moment and underscoring the importance of the site to elevate new voices and important messages for this region,” said Matthew Galluzzo, Riverlife president and CEO. “His work is powerful and poignant.”
Funding for “ArtWalk on the Allegheny” projects is supported by the Allegheny Regional Asset District. Funding for the Fort Duquesne Bridge mural artist residency is provided by Office of Public Art and Riverlife.
About Camerin “Camo” Nesbit
Artist Camerin “Camo” Nesbit
Camerin “Camo” Nesbit is the founder/painter of CamoCustomz. Born October 11, 1992 from Pittsburgh, PA (Homewood), Camo graduated from Schenley High School in 2010 and Mercyhurst University in 2012. Camo has been painting for about 5 years. With just starting with custom sneakers, Camo has now broadened his skills with canvas work, murals, motor vehicles, and almost anything else you can or should paint! See his eye-popping work around the city, and slowly growing in the Miami, New York, Ohio and Los Angeles areas.
