Legally Blind Bronx Muralist Tony Cruz – RAM 2, Shares Gifts To Encourage Others – C. Imani Williams

Tony Cruz – RAM 2, is a man on a mission. The Castle Hill, NY native, and Bronx resident is an activist, muralist, graffiti artist, carpenter, and songwriter. Legally blind, he becomes more determined to give back to the community and not just in his beloved Bronx. Cruz is a world-renowned commissioned artist and has created over 200 murals painted in the Bronx over the last three decades. As of late Cruz had been speaking to youth and offering graffiti and painting workshops. The B-Boy lingo and thick Bronx accent are definitely New York. As he speaks the conversation about his love of art is on full display. Also prominent at the top of the chat will be Cruz’s insistence that we do more to protect our eyes.

What makes Cruz’s story so interesting is that he isn’t deterred even though he is often in physical and emotional pain from his vision loss. He says he fights depression and anxiety which coupled with decreasing vision, makes some days very hard. Soon after losing his mother, his eyesight started going. Dealing with the grieving process while battling personal health challenges can be heavy for anyone. Amazingly, it’s precisely those two things that keep Cruz moving forward.

Cruz uses art as a healing tool. “Art helps me deal with my vision loss, and the anxiety and depression triggered after losing my mother”, Cruz said. But Cruz also uses his misfortunes to inspire others. He is determined to continue his 40-year love affair and commitment to art while incorporating warnings about the dangers of prolonged exposure to blue light from too much exposure to phone and computer screens. Vivid colors that pop and messaging are tools of his new mission to serve.

Cruz recently delivered a well-received message about blue lights to youth from around the world during the United Nations Youth Conference. When asked what the takeaway was for him, Cruz shared, “I received a blind mission with no judgment.”

With his vision failing and fighting mental health challenges, Cruz keeps a humble heart and has the spirit of a true giver, concerned with humanity even as he handles serious life issues. This is what makes his work with others so self-less. He keeps a positive attitude and like most creative types he pushes himself. He includes incorporating a love for people and humanity with his love of art.

We can appreciate when people push through harsh life circumstances with the idea that helping someone else, still matters. Cruz’s openness about living with depression and anxiety shows character. Our society is comprised of many people who were taught to keep their emotions in check and not admit to feeling out of sorts, or to show signs of depression, or even talk about it. Cruz chooses to acknowledge the various physical and emotional ups and downs that he now faces on any given day. His strong spirituality, positive attitude, and mission to create contribute to the message. Using interpersonal skills in conjunction with the arts to promote healing and awareness makes Cruz’s approach as a healing artist, work.

It’s no wonder that youth find his realness attractive. and they open up too. When he’s not giving them advice he is popping caps off of spray paint cans and teaching them the art of graffiti painting. His passion helps him to bond with youth and encourage their artistic endeavors. Cruz makes the connections happen between the dialogue, message, and art.

In 2020 Cruz will be adding songwriting, producing, and performing to his portfolio. “What I Did Wrong”, a song that Cruz co-wrote and produced, with the legendary Jose Feliciano will be released later this year. Cruz plans to continue to maximize the awareness of the 1980’s Hip Hop Cultural Arts Preservation Project, implement UN components within his campaign.

He will continue his work with The Blind Center of Nevada, and commission graffiti workshops, and street murals around the country. He currently teaches graffiti art to adults and teens with autism and those who are low vision. In February Cruz will offer a graffiti workshop at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. As with all of Cruz’s endeavors, he aims to uplift.

http://www.news12.com/clip/14314328/video-more-with-blind-artist-tony-cruz-and-his-soundview-mural

Tony Cruz – Muralist

Images Tony Cruz

Photo Credit: Tony Cruz