Franck de Las Mercedes
Franck de las Mercedes (born 1972 in Masaya, Nicaragua), is a Nicaraguan American artist who lives and works in New York City. Franck's experience as a child in war-torn Nicaragua, the visual charge of New York's graffiti and an immersion in the abstract expressionism action played a major role in de las Mercedes becoming a visual artist.
With a self-obtained education, straight from the aisles of the Mid-Manhattan Public Library, Franck de las Mercedes has emerged as one of the country's most prolific artists in recent years.[citation needed] Incorporating elements of photography, drawings, journal pages and text art, Franck creates frenetic paintings with lithe abstractions bursting past color.
FdlM draws inspiration from his New York backdrop and the effect that time and the elements have upon urban surfaces. Referencing like experiences, trauma and family contact in real life and literature, he creates psychologically-charged imagery.[citation needed]
In 2006, Franck initiated The Priority Boxes Art Project a harmony initiative that has evolved into a goings-on now embraced by popular culture, mainstream media outlets, schools and art educators across America.[citation needed] From his little studio near the Hudson River, the artiste ships abstractly painted, seemingly empty boxes past a label that reads: «Fragile, handle afterward care: Contains peace» to people a propos the world. The boxes dream to spark dialogue and challenge people to reconsider their deed to influence tweak and question the fragility, value and priority truth to concepts such as peace. De las Mercedes has shipped higher than 12,300 boxes to countries and cities across the globe from urban and rural America to Asia and South Africa. "The Peace Boxes" have traveled the globe, been taught in classrooms and featured on the iconic LED screens of Times Square.[citation needed]
Franck and his statute have been featured on numerous national and international television and radio shows including, LatiNation, CNN En Español, Noticiero Telemundo and Univision's "Aqui y Ahora."[citation needed] He's also been featured in prestigious publications including, Selecciones (Reader's Digest), Art Business News, Hispanic Magazine, SoulPancake, Museum VIEWS, American Style and The Artist's magazine, Blick Art Materials' Spring 2013 Featured Artist, Town & Country, The Daily Beast and fine Day New York on Fox 5.[citation needed]
FdlM's sham has been exhibited in numerous solo shows and organization shows vis-а-vis the world. In 2012, his portrait of Francisco de Quevedo was acquired by Fundación Francisco de Quevedo for their long-lasting collection in Ciudad Real, Spain.[citation needed]
On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 a massive ember ripped through his house and the house of The FDLM Art Studio. Escaping the flames in the same way as only the clothes on his back, the flare destroyed his entire life's take steps and possessions. For 12 years, 217 Hackensack Plank Rd. was house to Franck and his wife Nicola, art studio and the birthplace of The Priority Boxes Art Project. His loft was completely destroyed, the building gutted and complex demolished. Franck has before relocated to New York City.
In the spring of 2014, Franck's "Post No Bills" egg was ration of the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt NY 2014. A citywide public exhibit that featured higher than 250 large egg sculptures – placed throughout New York City, each meant by globally renowned artists and designers.
In October 2014, The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly passed a joint legislative unqualified honoring Franck and the Peace Boxes Project, commending him for his meritorious stamp album of service, leadership, and commitment in the arts and his community.[citation needed]
In 2015 Franck was named one of "15 Artists About to Dominate 2015" by Complex magazine.
In 2018 Franck participated in the Sing For Hope project, which placed hundreds of pianos roughly speaking New York City and invited artists to beautify them.
He has been a resident of Weehawken, New Jersey.