“Great Waves of Immigration” by artist Carmen Lizardo invites commuters to reflect on the generations who have made New York City and the Washington Heights neighborhood home through colorful mosaic artworks at the 181 St station. A total of three murals are located within the north mezzanine, one next to the newly installed elevators and the other two on the walls above the north stairs that lead to the northbound and southbound platforms. The mosaic murals were fabricated by Mosaicos Venecianos de México and encompass approximately 370 square feet of wall space.

Lizardo’s project encapsulates the immigrant experience—leaving home, enduring the arduous journey, and eventually arriving in an unfamiliar city. With Great Waves of Immigration, the artist seeks to acknowledge the Washington Heights community’s historical migration patterns, which has given rise to its large Dominican population. She was inspired by the neighborhood’s architecture and beauty, exemplified by the iconic George Washington Bridge, images of which are superimposed and layered within the murals.

Juxtaposed with these representations of iconic landmarks are portraits of the many people who travelled across vast bodies of water to settle in the area, the most recent of which include the Dominican community. Across from the turnstiles, the largest mural is divided into two parts using a yellow and gold color scheme. In the foreground is a giant overfilled yola, a Dominican boat used to make the journey over to U.S. territory. Above the downtown stairwell is a portrait of a woman holding part of a certificate of citizenship, and in the uptown stairwell is an image of an unidentified woman whose last living address was in Washington Heights. Together, these artworks remind the viewer of the diverse and ever-changing populations that have long called New York City home.

Carmen Lizardo was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the U.S. at 19. She holds a BFA in Photography and an MFA in Digital Art from Pratt Institute. For Lizardo, using multiple media is an essential part of her work, particularly alternative photo processes, printmaking, drawing, and video work. Lizardo often creates work to help build an understanding of the human need. She makes art as a daily reminder of the commitments we make and how actions reflect in our lives, families, and communities. She aims to encourage a view of our world through the lens of empathy and a dialogue for social justice.  Receiving various awards Carmen Lizardo’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She is a tenured faculty at the State University of New York at New Paltz.