212 Arts is pleased to present a collaborative exhibit between Sinned and Ria.

Boxtruck Guardians murals have been roaming the streets and highways of the United States for over five years, maybe you’ve seen one. Sinned and Ria began hand painting these vibrant pieces in NYC at the request of different owners of box trucks, many of whom are immigrants from African and Caribbean nations, and the tag #boxtruckguardians was born. The husband and wife duo create characters who act as sentinels offering protection for each vehicle they are painted on.

The show “GUARDIANS” is comprised of custom built pieces that implement the same theme: bold creatures offering protection. Sinned drew a lot of inspiration from his passion for ancient Oceanic artwork, where masks, totems and sculptures were used to ward off evil spirits and protect the community. Ria gets most of her inspiration from her Puerto Rican roots, drawing on her family's deep Taino heritage.

Sinned and Ria have been painting in Astoria's Welling Court Mural Project for the past nine years. Last year they put up a character in Brooklyn for the Lisa Project’s World Pride Mural Project and for the past two years have been painting murals in Mexico for the Akumal Arts Festival.

Sinned has also been an illustrator, scenic painter, and carpenter in NYC for the past 15 years working for numerous clients in the fashion and advertising world. Ria is an accomplished singer, writer, and performer who has traveled the world on tour, has three feature films under her belt and a new screenplay underway.