05/10/2023
, led by Naofal Alaoui (aka Rocko) , helped bring this calligraffiti mural to life in 2015, located across from 247 Troutman Street. Working with Joel Bergner (aka Joel Artista) , the two executed a mural based on an ongoing portrait series by acclaimed photographer and cinematographer Barron Claiborne
In this mural, drawing upon his familiarity with Islamic art and architecture from Morocco and Spain, Rocko has constructed concentric, diamond-shaped frames alternating in white and yellow with blue segmented lines marking the edges of each layer. Intricate, faux Arabic script fills the interior and creates a mesmerizing visual pattern that encourages meditation as your eyes trace the ornamentation of the marks.
In the middle of the composition, anchoring your gaze, an arresting young woman with a piercing expression wears a decorated veil and holds a blue symbol in her hand. Joel painted this imposing figure, giving her a strong sense of plasticity, and, impressively achieving a diaphanous texture with her bejeweled veil. The palm-shaped amulet she holds, known as a hamsa or khamsah symbol, is significant to both Jewish and Islamic communities throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It is commonly understood and used as a symbol of protection against evil. As such, the colored, geometric bands and perimeters of blue squares can be seen as a force field or shield emanating from the talisman in the foreground. In fact, her body appears behind the diamond-shaped brackets. Based on the similar spirit animating Claiborne’s photographic series, the street artists selected this particular symbol as the centerpiece of their mural in order to highlight the common heritage of those belonging to MENA communities during a time when religious conflict and divisions were escalating.
