Skanska Honors Acclaimed Artist, Raúl de Nieves, Creator of Boston’s Newest Public Mural, “All is One,” at its first Development

Last week Skanska welcomed acclaimed New York artist Raúl de Nieves, the creator of the Fenway’s newest public mural, All is One, to The Harlo for a special unveiling event honoring his lasting contribution to the Fenway’s artistic landscape. The Harlo is a 17-story, 183,000 square foot tower with 212 boutique apartments, modern amenities and ground floor retail, which represents Skanska’s second luxury multi-family development in Boston.

During the event, de Nieves – whose work has been displayed at The Whitney Museum of American Art and MoMA PS1, among other art institutions – delivered an inspiring speech about the vision behind his larger-than-life mural, and how his own personal experiences informed its creation.

All is One is Boston’s newest public art installation, and de Nieves’ first site-specific public project, representing a major addition to the public art landscape in Boston. All is One will remain on view as a long-term installation.

“The iconography of Saint George and the Dragon has been the source of healing, strength, and self-revelation within my practice,” said Raúl de Nieves, acclaimed contemporary artist and creator of the mural All is One. “Sharing one of my first depictions of Saint George and the Dragon as a mural on the Fenway Health building allows me to realize how archetypes like this can reach far beyond their cultural origins to invoke universal patterns of positivity to the mind.”

Working with the curatorial team at Goodman Taft, Skanska’s goal with this public art initiative was to contribute to the vitality of the Fenway neighborhood, create a dynamic visual experience for residents of and visitors to The Harlo, and share the powerful message de Nieves set out to convey with his piece: triumph over adversity.

“In selecting the artwork for The Harlo, we wanted to complement the area’s existing artistic and cultural destinations with original works that encourage reflection and add a unique aesthetic to Boylston Street,” said Charley Leatherbee, head of Commercial Development operations for Skanska in Boston. “A sincere thank you to Raúl and Goodman Taft for helping Skanska deliver a beautiful mural that symbolizes an important and appropriate message for the Fenway, a neighborhood which has grown and adapted over the years in spite of its own adversity.”

All is One (2018) depicts the seminal moment of Saint George slaying the Dragon in the mythical legend that illustrates resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. With the story serving as an ongoing metaphor for personal empowerment and service to one’s community more broadly, de Nieves has continuously explored this tale and its themes throughout his career. The optimistic message of resiliency and collective strength conveyed in All is One demonstrates de Nieves’s consideration of Fenway Health’s enduring reputation as a center of care and healing that welcomes all individuals.

“We are delighted to unveil this major public artwork by Raúl de Nieves and to have the artist in Boston for the occasion,” stated Abigail Ross Goodman and Molly Epstein of Goodman Taft. “As our city continues to expand and deepen its commitment to contemporary art through our world-class museums and institutions, we are thrilled that this work by an innovative artist of international renown will join the ranks of exceptional works of art on view in the public domain.”

In addition to All Is One, Skanska has brought eateries CAVA, Tatte Bakery and Cafe and Oath Craft Pizza to The Harlo and the Fenway. The Harlo’s amenities for residents include: an 18th floor Sky Deck with views of Fenway Park, Back Bay and Downtown; a fifth floor terrace with grills, canopies and a fire pit; a state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with a boxing bag, that opens out onto an outdoor yoga terrace; a resident lounge with billiards and open workspaces; private study with room reservation capabilities; private dining and event space for reservation; a pet spa; private storage; a bike room and 103 underground parking spaces.

Skanska’s other developments in Greater Boston include “Boston’s most sustainable block,” in the Seaport District, comprised of 121 Seaport, the first and only elliptical tower in the city with 400,000 square feet of Class-A, flexible office space targeting LEED® Platinum certification, and the site of Boston’s Seaport Shipwreck; 101 Seaport, the North American headquarters for PwC; and Watermark Seaport, a 300,000 square-foot, LEED® Gold residential building with ground-floor retail. Skanska also developed 150 Second Street, a lab and office building in Cambridge, MA, and recently broke ground on Two Drydock, an approximately 225,000-square-foot, 12-story, Class-A office building with 9,500 square-feet of ground-floor retail in Boston’s Seaport District.

Skanska has built and restored New England’s landmarks for more than 70 years, from Gillette Stadium and the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, to the Longfellow Bridge. Skanska continues to leverage its local knowledge and global expertise to shape the region's institutional, commercial, healthcare and life science facilities, as well as to enhance or expand essential transportation and energy infrastructure.