"The Thread That Ties Us Together" was created in conjunction with Urban Nation Berlin in the neighborhood of Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany in March 2020, at the start of the coronavirus outbreak.

Coincidentally, the title and theme of the work apply as much to the global virus outbreak as to the original mural concept.  Initially, when thinking about this project, I considered the mural's location in Kreuzberg, a Berlin neighborhood known for its diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.  Here, it can sometimes seem that differences among neighborhood residents outweigh the similarities. So what ties the neighborhood together? As a non-native Berliner, (I am originally from the United States), this project resonated with my own immigrant experience in the city. "What role do I have to play in the culture of Berlin?" ,"Where do I fit into this city as a foreigner?" "What do I contribute to a place that's still new to me, and so culturally different to the way I grew up?"

I realized that despite the differences in culture and background that many Berliners have, one thing that is shared is the city of Berlin itself. It's the city, the neighborhood, and our "home" (however new, temporary, or permanent) that ties us together. Many of us in Berlin are not German natives, but we as people contribute to society in some way, and help to make the city what it is. This is the "thread" that unites us, and this is something to celebrate. 

Additionally, with the rise of the coronavirus outbreak, we global citizens also have a "thread" that ties us together. I hope this mural can shine some positivity on the current global situation, a reminder that we have humanity in common, no matter how difficult things may seem.  We are in this together and we have a rare opportunity to support and care for each other during this tough time. Perhaps this accidental secondary meaning to the piece is not a coincidence at all.