Career
Franck"s experience as a child in war-torn Nicaragua, the visual clash of New York’s graffiti and an interest in the abstract expressionism movement 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. Incorporating elements of photography, drawings, journal pages and text art, Franck creates frenetic paintings with energetic abstractions bursting with color.
FdlM draws inspiration from his New York backdrop and the effect that time and the elements have on urban surfaces.
Referencing past experiences, trauma and family relationships in real life and literature, he creates psychologically-charged imagery. In 2006, Franck initiated The Priority Boxes Art Project a peace initiative that has evolved into a movement now embraced by popular culture, mainstream media outlets, schools and art educators across America.
From his small studio near the Hudson River, the artist ships abstractly painted, seemingly empty boxes with a label that reads: «Fragile, handle with care: Contains peace» to people around the world. The boxes aim to spark dialogue and challenge people to reconsider their ability to influence change and question the fragility, value and priority given to concepts such as peace.
De las Mercedes has shipped more 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. He has been a resident of Weehawken, New Jersey.
