WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — For a street artist who has traveled the world to showcase her colorful graffiti, returning to the streets of her home turf is still a necessary move to defend her work.
Soraya Marquez, 35, better known as Indie184, describes a version of her colorful, bubble-lettered mural on the wall of a bodega 184th Street and Audubon Ave. as a “throwie,” named for the quick style she used to paint over the work of another amateur artist.
That artist, who Marquez said she didn't know, tagged his name over her original work on the wall, which was a collaborative piece she did almost six years ago with Brooklyn-based artist Lady Aiko.
“He decided he did not like me, for reasons I do not know," Marquez said. "It happens everywhere."
And Marquez would know.
Her work, whether done solo or with other artists, has appeared on streets and in museums worldwide — from El Museo del Barrio in Harlem to the Völklingen Ironworks Museum in Saarbrücken, Germany. She's also planning to travel to Paris later this year to exhibit more of her work.
Posted by INDIE 184 on Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Despite the international acclaim, Marquez said it’s her upbringing in Washington Heights that continues to serve as an inspiration. She currently lives in Dutchess County with her partner, well-known street artist COPE2, and their three children, but still travels to the city to work.
"With [street artist] Taki 183, who grew up on 183rd between Amsterdam and Audubon, and the writer’s bench on 187th Street, this area is historical,” she said, referring to the spot where many street artists gathered before her time.
Indie 184 is derived from her favorite movie, "Indiana Jones," as well as the street she grew up on.
"A lot of writers, they all attach a street," she said.
Marquez remembers going to the public library on 179th Street when she was 10 years old to pick out books about art and graffiti culture.
“I started reading these art books and thought, ‘Wow, I want to do this,’” she said.
Despite being inspired at such a young age, Marquez said she felt disconnected from the urban landscape until almost a decade later, when she decided to ditch business school and take up art and design in an effort to "find herself," she said.
"I didn’t go to art school," she said. "I did graphic design for myself and then started interning."
Pintando con Real Tres
Posted by INDIE 184 on Friday, December 4, 2015
It was winning strategy for Marquez, who eventually left her design job to realize her dream to "live off my art."
As for the distractions, like others tagging over her work, Marquez doesn't pay it much thought as long as she stays on top her game.
"That’s the most important to me," she said. "No matter what anyone says, my work will still be here."
