{"id":1982454,"date":"2026-06-10T12:30:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T09:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1982454"},"modified":"2026-06-10T12:30:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T09:30:24","slug":"knicks-memories-by-way-of-murals-how-an-east-harlem-artist-is-capturing-moments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1982454","title":{"rendered":"Knicks memories by way of murals: How an East Harlem artist is capturing moments"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

With the New York Knicks zeroing in on an Eastern Conference semifinal series victory, the artist known as Kaysuane made an announcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they go to the finals, there\u2019s gonna be another mural out there,\u201d he said last month.<\/p>\n

An exciting part about the Knicks\u2019 postseason is that multiple players have had highlight moments. And with the moments come new opportunities for artists like the East Harlem-based Kaysuane to make a memory around the boroughs.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Kaysuane has put together two murals during the Knicks\u2019 spectacular run through the playoffs. The latest is located in New York Midtown, between 30th Street and 31st Street and 8th Avenue, depicting Jalen Brunson as the \u201cKing of the East,\u201d with NBA guards Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey and James Harden bowing to the throne. Next to the image is a Larry O\u2019Brien championship trophy with the Knicks logo drawn over it.<\/p>\n

A Game 3 loss in the NBA Finals hasn\u2019t taken the spirit from Kaysuane or the New York City basketball fans. Wednesday night is expected to be electric in and around Madison Square Garden, as the Knicks look to return to their winning ways against a San Antonio Spurs team that silenced the crowd on Monday.<\/p>\n

\n

a.showcase-link-container {
\n display: flex;
\n gap: 20px;
\n flex-direction: column;
\n align-items: center;
\n padding: 20px 0px;
\n border-top: 1px solid rgba(150, 150, 147, 0.4);
\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(150, 150, 147, 0.4);
\n text-decoration: none;
\n color: #121212;
\n cursor: pointer;<\/p>\n

.showcase-link {
\n font-family: nyt-franklin;
\n font-size: 14px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 700;
\n line-height: 13.8px;
\n letter-spacing: 1.1px;
\n text-transform: uppercase;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-image {
\n border-radius: 8px;
\n object-fit: cover;
\n width: 200px;
\n height: 150px;
\n margin: 0px;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n width: 120px;
\n height: 120px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-inner-content {
\n display: flex;
\n flex-direction: row;
\n gap: 16px;
\n width: 100%;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-text-content {
\n display: flex;
\n flex-direction: column;
\n gap: 20px;
\n justify-content: center;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n gap: 8px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-title {
\n font-family: nyt-cheltenham;
\n font-size: 24px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 500;
\n line-height: 120%; \/* 24px *\/
\n letter-spacing: 0.01px;
\n text-overflow: ellipsis;
\n overflow: hidden;
\n display: -webkit-box;
\n -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
\n -webkit-line-clamp: 3;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n font-size: 16px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-excerpt {
\n font-family: nyt-imperial;
\n font-size: 16px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 400;
\n line-height: 139%; \/* 19.46px *\/
\n color: #323232;
\n text-overflow: ellipsis;
\n overflow: hidden;
\n display: -webkit-box;
\n -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
\n -webkit-line-clamp: 4;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n font-size: 12px;
\n line-height: 121%;
\n }
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-inputs {
\n .showcase-link-input {
\n width: 100%;
\n font-size: 1rem;
\n background-color: white;
\n margin-bottom: 12px;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-indent {
\n margin-left: 25px;
\n }<\/p>\n

option {
\n width: 100%;
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
\n .native-mobile a.showcase-link-container {
\n background-color: #121212;
\n color: #f0f0ee;
\n .showcase-link-excerpt {
\n color: #c4c4c0;
\n }
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

\/\/ Remove all onclicks on imgs for apps to prevent image zoom on click
\n document.querySelectorAll(‘.showcase-link-image’).forEach((img) => img.removeAttribute(‘onclick’));<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Catch Up On The Story<\/div>\n
\n \"Victor<\/p>\n
\n
\n Victor Wembanyama, Spurs steal Game 3 in must-win game vs. Knicks\n <\/div>\n
\n Wembanyama, knowing no team had ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in an NBA playoff series, produced a monster game at the right time.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

As the Knicks\u2019 run for their first title since 1973 progresses, Kaysuane, a New York sports fan to the core, said he finds instant artistic inspiration with certain plays. Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, on the corner of 30th Street and 8th Avenue, was immortalized when he dunked over Joel Embiid<\/a> during the East semifinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n

That moment immediately became a meme, which led to an easy decision for Kaysuane to begin painting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to my art, sometimes it\u2019s a feeling,\u201d Kaysuane said. \u201cI could just wake up every day and do something creative, but I\u2019m not always in love with it. But then there\u2019s a moment that happens where you\u2019re like, \u2018This has to get done. Like, this has<\/em> to be it.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mitchell dunk was definitely one of those moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A post shared by Kaysuane (@kaysuane)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Kaysuane, who has been making murals since 2023, has made a larger name for himself over the last two years with his sports-related artwork. His \u201cEl Barrio\u201d brand isn\u2019t just about murals. It encompasses music, clothing and art. Around 2015, Kaysuane focused his artistic interests into the music world, using his visuals to help his brother\u2019s hip-hop group.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Lately, it\u2019s been the 34-year-old\u2019s Knicks presentations that have gone from mural to merchandise by way of his website.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing from Harlem, I\u2019m definitely a big fan of hip-hop. I\u2019m definitely a fan of sports,\u201d Kaysuane said. \u201cI just feel like New York City culture, in general, is very vast, but hip-hop and sports is very big over here. Being a young kid from Harlem, I kind of embody that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaysuane said he was about 15 or 16 years old when he lost interest in art; seven or eight years later, that passion found him again. He has previous experience in creating cover art and teaching himself how to use tools like Photoshop. He has shot videos and also has worked as a manager.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Kaysuane said he has created drawings in sketchbooks \u2014 but only in the last few years has his work made it to walls for murals.<\/p>\n

\u201cA girl that I used to date asked me to do a mural for her,\u201d Kaysuane said. \u201cI told her that I don\u2019t do murals, and she was like, \u2018You gonna tell me no?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI was like, \u2018You know what \u2026 I\u2019m not.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

a.showcase-link-container {
\n display: flex;
\n gap: 20px;
\n flex-direction: column;
\n align-items: center;
\n padding: 20px 0px;
\n border-top: 1px solid rgba(150, 150, 147, 0.4);
\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(150, 150, 147, 0.4);
\n text-decoration: none;
\n color: #121212;
\n cursor: pointer;<\/p>\n

.showcase-link {
\n font-family: nyt-franklin;
\n font-size: 14px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 700;
\n line-height: 13.8px;
\n letter-spacing: 1.1px;
\n text-transform: uppercase;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-image {
\n border-radius: 8px;
\n object-fit: cover;
\n width: 200px;
\n height: 150px;
\n margin: 0px;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n width: 120px;
\n height: 120px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-inner-content {
\n display: flex;
\n flex-direction: row;
\n gap: 16px;
\n width: 100%;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-text-content {
\n display: flex;
\n flex-direction: column;
\n gap: 20px;
\n justify-content: center;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n gap: 8px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-title {
\n font-family: nyt-cheltenham;
\n font-size: 24px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 500;
\n line-height: 120%; \/* 24px *\/
\n letter-spacing: 0.01px;
\n text-overflow: ellipsis;
\n overflow: hidden;
\n display: -webkit-box;
\n -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
\n -webkit-line-clamp: 3;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n font-size: 16px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-excerpt {
\n font-family: nyt-imperial;
\n font-size: 16px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 400;
\n line-height: 139%; \/* 19.46px *\/
\n color: #323232;
\n text-overflow: ellipsis;
\n overflow: hidden;
\n display: -webkit-box;
\n -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
\n -webkit-line-clamp: 4;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n font-size: 12px;
\n line-height: 121%;
\n }
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-inputs {
\n .showcase-link-input {
\n width: 100%;
\n font-size: 1rem;
\n background-color: white;
\n margin-bottom: 12px;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-indent {
\n margin-left: 25px;
\n }<\/p>\n

option {
\n width: 100%;
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
\n .native-mobile a.showcase-link-container {
\n background-color: #121212;
\n color: #f0f0ee;
\n .showcase-link-excerpt {
\n color: #c4c4c0;
\n }
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

\/\/ Remove all onclicks on imgs for apps to prevent image zoom on click
\n document.querySelectorAll(‘.showcase-link-image’).forEach((img) => img.removeAttribute(‘onclick’));<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What You Should Read Next<\/div>\n
\n \"Knicks<\/p>\n
\n
\n Knicks illustrations from a music Hall of Famer: How Chuck D has captured the finals\n <\/div>\n
\n Some sports fans express themselves on social media with words only. Rapper Chuck D puts together illustrations as a form of commentary.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Kaysuane then reached out to his friend, Amar Bennett, an artist who does murals, for guidance on how to get started. Bennett led him to Uptown Grand Central, a Harlem-based nonprofit that hires artists to paint murals.<\/p>\n

The Grandscale Mural Project<\/a> doesn\u2019t seek out famous artists, according to Casey King, director of Uptown Grand Central. She said when Kaysuane submitted his portfolio for the project, it was evident he was talented.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis work roots for the Knicks, and we were rooting for him,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n East Harlem-based Kaysuane has been creating murals around New York since 2023. (Photo courtesy of Kaysuane)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

He contributed to the project in 2023 and 2025, both painted on 125th Street. His 2023 contribution was an ode to Knicks fans, with him holding the Larry O\u2019Brien trophy<\/a> and wearing a 2024 NBA world champions hat.\u00a0The 2025 piece, he said, was dedicated to the women of New York. He painted the Statue of Liberty mimicking the famous Marilyn Monroe scene from \u201cThe Seven Year Itch,\u201d<\/a> as she tries to hold her skirt following a breeze from a subway grate.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The goal of the nonprofit is to provide a platform for artists to get more work. Kaysuane\u2019s growth, however, is not just about the project, King said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s hustling,\u201d King said. \u201cHe\u2019s all over the city doing stuff. It\u2019s not just a result of our project, but he really works hard. He puts in the work, and he collaborates with a lot of different organizations and other artists. It\u2019s great to see him out there, and he\u2019s obviously got a lot of talent to share.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murals and graffiti art have long been associated with New York. Graffiti is considered one of the five pillars of hip-hop<\/a>, making it important to the birthplace of the culture. Graffiti, however, is not legal; artists wanting to share their work in public spaces must do so with permission.<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to do graffiti growing up, but I ended up getting in trouble with the graffiti stuff. and I kind of lost my passion for art after that,\u201d Kaysuane said.<\/p>\n

\n

Not only has he regained that passion, but he is now using his talents to help showcase the Knicks\u2019 first finals appearance since 1999. Adding artwork to the city that simply shows his name has been a bonus. His first Knicks piece that got widespread attention involved singer\/actor Marc Anthony wearing a Carmelo Anthony jersey, dubbed \u201cMarcelo Anthony,\u201d<\/a> on 3rd Avenue.<\/p>\n

Kaysuane loves incorporating his pride in East Harlem in his piece. Marc Anthony grew up in East Harlem.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarc Anthony in the Melo jersey started going crazy because it didn\u2019t look like Carmelo,\u201d Kaysuane said. \u201cA bunch of people were confused, but ultimately it got a lot of attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s \u201cI Hart NY\u201d painting<\/a> on 32nd Street gained attention, as it featured Knicks guard Josh Hart\u2019s bloodied face from a 2025 playoff game against the Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n

This year, it\u2019s Mitchell\u2019s dunk. And Brunson\u2019s throne.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cOnce I started doing murals, I liked to choose walls that are damaged with just a bunch of chicken-scratch graffiti,\u201d Kaysuane said. \u201cJust add some color and bring some beauty and neighborhood pride.\u201d<\/p>\n

His work has grown well beyond Harlem. Last December, he painted a mural in Miami. His Robinson piece was shown during ESPN\u2019s playoff telecast, and Robinson reposted the mural on social media.<\/p>\n

Kaysuane said he hasn\u2019t met any of the Knicks he\u2019s painted, but he likes knowing they have seen the work.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love what I do \u2026 but I would also like for it to be intentional,\u201d he said. \u201cI would want it to contribute to the community rather than destroy the community. Actually doing it and getting love for it is beautiful. I love what I do, and other people love what I do, too, so that just makes it that much better.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the New York Knicks zeroing in on an Eastern Conference semifinal series victory, the artist known as Kaysuane made an announcement. \u201cIf they go to the finals, there\u2019s gonna be another mural out there,\u201d he said last month. An exciting part about the Knicks\u2019 postseason is that multiple players have had highlight moments. And […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,241],"class_list":["post-1982454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nytimes-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1982454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1982454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1982454\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1982454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1982454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1982454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}