Michael Jackson Mural Hits The East Village

EAST VILLAGE, NY — A vibrant mural of the king of pop has landed in the East Village.

Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra is in the midst of painting a five-story mural of Michael Jackson on the side of a East 11th Street building at First Avenue. The right half of the fresco is of Jackson as a young boy, the left side is him as an adult with each face colored by a rainbow of diamonds.

Kobra is recognized across the global for his colorful murals, including figures across the cultural spectrum such as Nelson Mandela, David Bowie and Yoda. The artist, who grew up poor in São Paulo, has painted more than 500 murals in Brazil and 17 other countries.

By Tuesday evening painters were still spraying last minute touches on the East Village corner. One worker said it expected to be complete by the weeks end.

Photos courtesy of Caroline Spivack/Patch