New York City Arteries hand embroidered ladies' olive crop hoody

New York Arteries (2017)

A Tribute to the Lifeblood of the City

Walking past the giant subway map at Union Square’s L train platform, I found myself staring, seeing more than just a transit system. The intricate lines and connections felt organic, like veins and arteries, coursing with life. At that moment, I knew I wanted to create a tribute to New York City, not just as a place, but as a living, breathing entity.

By merging the city’s natural geography with the structured chaos of its subway system, I transformed its map into an anatomical heart. The subway lines became veins, the trains themselves red blood cells, and the movement of people the very pulse that keeps the city alive. The heartbeat of New York is not metaphorical- it’s tangible, felt in every rush-hour surge, every late-night ride, every unexpected delay.

The MTA- ”Most Trauma Afflicted” may be flawed, but it remains the city’s lifeline. Without it, New York would not be New York. No other city on earth would have allowed me to build a bootstrap enterprise from selling art on its trains, letting me carve out a living from sheer persistence and creativity.

New York Arteries is more than an illustration, it’s a testament to the city’s resilience, movement, and the millions who keep its heart beating every single day.

- 8 oz., 60% cotton, 40% recycled polyester

Care:

Dry clean or wash normally, low to no heat.