Local Legends: The Muralists Transforming New York
From the iconic concrete jungle of Manhattan to the historic neighborhoods of Brooklyn, from the cultural melting pot of Queens to the charming towns dotting upstate, New York State has become an expansive canvas for vibrant artistic expression. The tradition of public murals—once considered temporary vandalism—has evolved into a celebrated art form that transforms urban spaces, tells powerful stories, and creates cultural landmarks that define neighborhoods.
In a state known for its artistic innovation and cultural diversity, mural artists play a unique role in democratizing art by bringing it out of galleries and museums directly into public spaces where everyone can experience it. These large-scale works not only beautify communities but often address social issues, celebrate local heritage, and give voice to underrepresented perspectives.
WXLLSPACE, a platform connecting artists, communities, and spaces, features some of the most innovative mural creators working across New York today. This curated collection showcases ten exceptional artists who are redefining public spaces throughout the Empire State, each bringing their unique background, style, and vision to walls that might otherwise remain blank and forgotten.
Kamille "Ogmillie" Ejerta | Queens, NY
Transforming Personal Challenge into Inclusive Artistry
When a vision-threatening medical emergency struck Kamille Ejerta, she didn't retreat from the world—she found a new way to see it through art. Now known professionally as "Ogmillie," this Queens-based pop artist has transformed her personal experience into a distinctive artistic style that celebrates diversity and resilience.
Ogmillie's murals, which can be spotted throughout the tri-state area and beyond, feature inspirational figures rendered in her signature vibrant palette. What makes her work particularly significant is her commitment to representation—as a proud member of both the LGBTQIA+ community and Asian American diaspora, she creates art that centers identities often marginalized in traditional public spaces.
"I believe walls should reflect the diversity of the communities they exist within," Ogmillie has stated. "Every mural is an opportunity to help someone see themselves represented in the public landscape."
Her technical approach combines elements of street art with pop art sensibilities, creating works that are both accessible to broad audiences and rich with cultural references that reward closer examination.
Explore Ogmillie's full portfolio
KEY DETAIL | New York, NY
Architectural Vision Meets Street Art Expression
Few artists bring the unique perspective to muralism that KEY DETAIL does. Originally from Belarus and now based in New York, his work reflects the intersection of formal architectural training and street art expression developed over more than a decade of professional practice.
KEY DETAIL's murals span continents—from Europe to Asia to the United States—yet maintain a cohesive visual language that makes his work instantly recognizable. Drawing on his architectural background, he approaches each wall as a structural challenge to be solved through artistic intervention, considering how the artwork will interact with its environment and the people who move through it.
His international recognition has placed his work in publications and private collections worldwide, with each project further advancing his stated mission of "beautifying the world through art." What distinguishes KEY DETAIL's approach is his ability to create site-specific works that respond to local context while maintaining his distinctive aesthetic vision.
Explore KEY DETAIL's full portfolio
Mike Maka | New York, NY
Global Nomad, Environmental Advocate
Though now based in New York, Mike Maka's artistic journey spans continents, having painted everywhere from the historic Berlin Wall to the sacred banks of the River Ganges in India. This global perspective infuses his work with a unique sensibility that transcends cultural boundaries while addressing universal human concerns.
Maka's murals and paintings consistently explore the increasingly fraught relationship between human civilization and the natural world. Through his distinctive visual language—which often juxtaposes natural elements against industrial motifs—he creates powerful environmental commentaries that urge viewers to reconsider humanity's disconnection from nature.
What makes Maka's approach particularly effective is his versatility across mediums. While his murals may be his most publicly visible works, his practice extends to canvas and paper, creating a conversation between his public and gallery-based creations. This cross-pollination of ideas and techniques allows him to bring refined studio explorations to the street and the energy of public art into more intimate formats.
Explore Mike Maka's full portfolio
Rowan Willigan | Red Hook, NY
Dance-Inspired Visual Movement
The small town of Red Hook in upstate New York might seem an unlikely base for a muralist with an international clientele, but Rowan Willigan's work demonstrates how rural settings can inspire expansive creative vision. With two decades of dance training informing her artistic practice, Willigan brings a unique understanding of movement, balance, and spatial dynamics to her visual work.
This dance background manifests in murals characterized by flowing forms, dynamic compositions, and layers that seem to move across the surface. Her interdisciplinary approach—spanning muralism, graphic design, traditional painting, and ink drawing—allows her to bring diverse technical skills to each project.
Willigan's impressive client roster, including The Freehand Hotel, Graduate Hotels, and the Red Hook Central School District, speaks to the broad appeal of her work and ability to create site-responsive art that enhances diverse environments. Her formal education at Bard College's Studio Art program provided technical foundations that she has built upon through practical application across varied contexts.
Explore Rowan Willigan's full portfolio
Mz. Icar | Brooklyn, NY
Collective Liberation Through Anonymous Artistry
Perhaps the most conceptually provocative entry on this list, Mz. Icar isn't an individual artist but an anonymous collective primarily composed of Black women. The name itself—"racIzM" spelled backward—immediately signals the group's commitment to confronting social structures while inverting expectations.
What makes Mz. Icar's approach particularly intriguing is their explicit acknowledgment of race and gender as social constructs, even as they use these frameworks to provide context for their work. This theoretical sophistication translates into murals and installations that celebrate Women, Culture, and Play while exploring themes of radical liberation.
The collective's refusal of individual attribution represents a political stance against art world conventions of individual genius and commodification. Yet despite this anonymity, their work has gained significant recognition, with exhibitions at respected galleries like MINT Gallery Atlanta, Culture House DC, and Welancora Gallery, alongside high-profile commissions for Etsy's headquarters and collaborations with cultural icons like Ms. Lauryn Hill, Essence Magazine, and BET.
Explore Mz. Icar's collective portfolio
Adam Hernandez | York, NY
Modern Hieroglyphics for Contemporary Storytelling
Self-taught artists often develop unique visual languages unfettered by formal conventions, and Adam Hernandez exemplifies this creative independence. Originally from the Bronx, Hernandez has developed what he calls a "modern hieroglyphic style" that draws on ancient visual traditions while addressing contemporary themes.
His distinctive approach has attracted an impressive roster of commercial clients, including Maker's Mark, Jack Daniel's, and Ohio State University, demonstrating how his street art aesthetics translate effectively into various contexts. Hernandez's participation in international street art events like Upfest in Bristol, England, has further established his global reputation.
Beyond static walls, Hernandez's work has reached broader audiences through appearances on NBC's Chicago PD and features in publications like Sold Magazine and Delta Sky Magazine. His recent collaboration with Jackie O's Brewery—creating both limited edition can designs and a mural at their Columbus location—exemplifies how muralists increasingly move between public art and commercial design, blurring traditional boundaries between fine art and applied creativity.
Explore Adam Hernandez's full portfolio
Damien Mitchell | Brooklyn, NY
Global Scale, Professional Precision
With over 15 years of professional experience and projects spanning six continents, Damien Mitchell represents the highest level of technical proficiency and project management in the mural field. Based in Brooklyn but working globally, Mitchell has cultivated a client list that includes Major League Baseball and former First Lady Michelle Obama, demonstrating the growing institutional recognition of mural art.
What distinguishes Mitchell is not just his artistic skill but his comprehensive approach to the practical aspects of large-scale public art. His emphasis on safety protocols and industry-standard materials ensures his works achieve maximum longevity and durability—crucial considerations for both public and private clients making significant investments in site-specific art.
Mitchell's inclusion in books and academic papers on public art further confirms his influence on the field. As muralism continues to gain recognition as a significant contemporary art form, practitioners like Mitchell who combine creative vision with professional execution help establish standards that elevate the entire medium.
Explore Damien Mitchell's full portfolio
Dase | Brooklyn, NY
Conceptual Minimalism Meets Urban Activism
The one-line art created by Barcelona-born, Brooklyn-based Dase represents a fascinating minimalist approach to muralism. In a field often characterized by bold colors and complex compositions, Dase's conceptual restraint offers a distinctive counterpoint that demonstrates the expressive potential of deliberate limitation.
As a self-described "artivist" who integrates his vegan values into his creative practice, Dase exemplifies how contemporary muralists often blend artistic and social missions. His work across Europe and America shows how a consistent aesthetic approach can adapt to vastly different urban contexts while maintaining a recognizable signature style.
The diversity of Dase's client base—from NGOs and public administrations to multinational corporations and individual collectors—speaks to the versatility of his minimalist approach. His additional skills in graphic design and lettering allow him to move fluidly between pure artistic expression and more commercial applications, creating a sustainable creative practice.
Carol Wang | New York, NY
Global Inspirations, Cultural Celebrations
As the artist behind the world's first Hello Kitty 2D cafe and a featured creator on Disney Brasil's Art Attack television series, Carol Wang brings international commercial experience to her New York-based mural practice. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Wang's global perspective informs murals that celebrate natural elements, animals, and diverse cultural portraits.
Wang's dream of "painting around the world" reflects the increasingly international nature of contemporary muralism, where artists develop global practices while bringing distinctive cultural influences to each new location. Her experience creating content for television demonstrates how muralists often work across multiple media platforms, bringing public art approaches to various contexts.
The combination of her commercial success with recognizable brands and her personal artistic focus on nature and cultural portraiture shows how contemporary muralists often balance commercial projects with more personal creative expressions. This versatility has become increasingly important for artists navigating the evolving market for public art.
Explore Carol Wang's full portfolio
Outer Source | New York, NY
Cosmic Visions, Dynamic Technique
Completing our survey of New York's mural landscape is Outer Source, an artist whose work extends beyond terrestrial concerns to explore cosmic themes and universal wonder. His vibrant, energetic painting style transforms static walls into dynamic portals that invite viewers to contemplate their place in the universe.
What makes Outer Source particularly notable is his performative approach to creation—his technique is described as not just producing visual results but as a dynamic process that itself captivates attention. This performance aspect of mural creation has become increasingly important as social media allows artists to share not just finished works but the process of their making.
By focusing on cosmic themes rendered in an accessible, vibrant style, Outer Source creates public works that offer moments of transcendence and wonder in everyday urban environments. This ability to transform mundane spaces into opportunities for contemplation represents one of the most powerful aspects of contemporary mural art.
Explore Outer Source's full portfolio
New York's Evolving Mural Landscape
These ten artists represent the remarkable diversity of approaches, techniques, and visions transforming New York's walls. From the political collective statements of Mz. Icar to the architectural precision of KEY DETAIL, from the cosmic explorations of Outer Source to the cultural celebrations of Carol Wang, these artists demonstrate how muralism has evolved from its street art origins into a sophisticated contemporary art form with numerous distinct directions.
As New York continues to evolve, these large-scale public works play an increasingly important role in shaping neighborhood identities, creating cultural landmarks, and democratizing access to art. Unlike works confined to galleries and museums, these murals become part of daily life for thousands of New Yorkers, influencing how they experience and relate to their environments.
Whether you're exploring Manhattan's Lower East Side, Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood, or the small towns of upstate New York, keep an eye out for works by these innovative artists who are quite literally changing the face of the Empire State, one wall at a time.
To discover more talented mural artists from around the world, visit WXLLSPACE and explore their comprehensive directory of creators available for commissions and collaborations.
