MAY 12 2020 – To celebrate International Nurses Day, and the birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, Claudia La Bianca, mural artist, donated two 104-foot high murals to Jackson Memorial Hospital, titled “Our Heroes.” The murals pay tribute to front line health care workers, who continue to work tirelessly through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wynwood Miami muralist is originally from Italy – a country that has also been highly impacted by the novel virus, giving her a deeper connection to the inspiration she wanted to gift her local community. On Friday, May 1, La Bianca climbed onto a scaffold and began painting every day for eight to 10 hours to complete it in time for International Nurses Day.
“The hospital staff at Jackson expose themselves every day to this, and other infectious diseases,” said La Bianca. “They are truly the heroes who need to be acknowledged and celebrated.”
The two murals show health care workers as superheroes, including nurses, security guards, environmental workers, and social workers. The mural also shows a nurse holding a candle to pay homage to Florence Nightingale, who would use a candle like the one depicted to light her way to help wounded British soldiers in the Crimean War (1865-56). Some nurses in the art installation also wear award pins meant to represent the DAISY Foundation, which recognizes nurses for their exemplary service and compassion.
“We are grateful for the tribute mural that Claudia La Bianca has done for our Jackson family," said Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System. "As our health care heroes continue to save lives every day, Claudia’s work will remain a powerful symbol of their daily sacrifices."
The mural is located on the southeast wall of the parking garage located at 901 NW 17th Street on the Jackson Memorial Medical Center campus.
“I’m so honored to do this and that I was chosen to grace the walls of Jackson Memorial, the Wynwood Arts District’s local hospital,” said La Bianca. “I hear the nurses from downstairs cheering and screaming, ‘Thank you, thank you’, and I’m thinking why are you telling me, ‘Thank you?’ ‘Thank you!’ That’s been the biggest gratification.”
