In the heart of Coconut Grove, the regal “Yellow Elder” looms with grace and dignity, paying tribute to the African and Bahamian descendants who helped build the historic neighborhood. The 10-foot-tall bronze bust represents the symbolic strength of the matriarch, whose labor, faith, creativity and resilience have shaped Coconut Grove. Standing at a bustling intersection, “Yellow Elder” offers a moment of reflection in motion—a living monument that welcomes passersby to recognize and respect the community’s past while celebrating its ongoing evolution.
“She echoes the presence of known and lesser-known ancestors, including early Bahamian settlers like E.W.F. Stirrup, one of South Florida’s first Black real estate developers; Mariah Brown, a Bahamian migrant and one of the Grove’s first Black homeowners; and the many unnamed builders, caregivers, farmers and dreamers whose contributions rooted the neighborhood’s cultural identity,” says Asser Saint-Val, the artist behind “Yellow Elder.”
The eye-catching sculpture commissioned by Miami-Dade Art in Public Places (APP), is the winner of the annual Art of Black cover contest, sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and M•I•A Magazine. For 10 years, Art of Black, created by the GMCVB, has platformed artistic and cultural landscapes across Miami’s heritage neighborhoods. From Overtown to Opa-Locka, Art of Black has elevated the works of emerging and seasoned artists, amplifying the voices of Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and beyond, making way for artists like Asser Saint-Val. In addition to the cover spotlight, Art of Black furthers the promotion of artists on the GMCVB’s podcast, providing emerging and established artists the opportunity to share their creative expression.
“Having ‘Yellow Elder’ featured on the cover of M•I•A Magazine’s Art of Black issue—especially during the momentum of Art Basel—feels like the work is expanding into the same community that gave birth to it. This platform uplifts Miami’s Black artistic landscape,” says Saint-Val.
Influenced by ancestry, transformation and spirituality, Saint-Val’s work reflects the thriving cultural beat of the Caribbean, paying homage to the cultural influences in Miami. As a Haitian-born immigrant who came to Miami as a teen, identity has played a pivotal role in his artistic approach.
“Generally, Haiti brings imagination, mysticism, and spiritual depth. Miami brings movement, migration stories, and the vibrant pulse of the Caribbean diaspora. Together, they create the rhythm behind everything I make—bridging history, identity, and the metaphysical questions that shape my work, including my ongoing research into melanin and neuromelanin as metaphors for transformation.” says Saint-Val.
For over a decade, Saint-Val has used large-scale public artworks to tell the stories of generations past, present and future, bridging history and identity with transformation and power. Saint-Val’s work is a beacon of the communities they serve, their diverse mediums ranging from bronze sculptures and hand-cut glass mosaics to immersive installations. Works like Peacolli, a mosaic mural for Miami-Dade County’s Bus Rapid Transit system, imagines a futuristic hybrid animal, part peacock, part alligator—inspired by South Dade’s ecological transformation Set in the future during 3023, this work touches on the impact of environmental policy and the regenerative power of nature.
As for Saint-Val’s upcoming projects, he shared, “I’m working on finishing a new series titled Quantum Microbial Magic, which explores the unseen theater of life—where microbes, molecules, and quantum forces mirror human creativity, memory, and evolution. I am also expanding my public art practice and building new collaborations within the community.”
Saint-Val’s inspiring and thought-provoking work will take center stage during Art Basel at the “WHAT’S IN YOUR CONTAINER?” group exhibition curated by Rosie Gordon-Wallace of Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator, Inc. DVCAI, opening Nov. 20. The exhibition explores the symbolism of shipping containers and barrels that symbolize both migration and support in the Caribbean community.
When asked what he loves most about the upcoming Art Basel, Saint-Val said the following:
“I love the cultural convergence—the way artists and ideas from around the world pulse through the city. This year, you can expect an immersive, interactive work that continues my exploration of melanin and neuromelanin (NM) as lenses for identity, transformation and the hidden power within.”
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Martinez wins runner-up prize
Artist Oscar Esteban Martinez’s “Vision of Liberty” painting won the runner-up prize of $1,500 for the 2025 Art of Black Miami cover contest. Since the 1990s, the Colombian-born artist’s career has blossomed internationally across the Americas. His fascination with the human spirit has served as an integral part of his work, his family’s artistic traditions shaping his inspiration. In addition to owning his own practice, Martinez is the co-owner and curator of Gato Gordo Gallery in Miami, where he continues to champion art and culture.
