Recent Artwork from DUHS Employee - Johnny Vega

Johnny Vega is a Duke University Hospital Supply Chain Technician. Recently, he finished his 90 day orientation and we are excited to share his work with the DUHS community. Johnny in deeply rooted in the graffiti art movement that he helped start in Patterson, NJ in the late 70's. His work will be on display through the month of October in the Clinic 1A display case and the Duke Eye Center hallway cases in Duke Hospital.

I am an urban street artist--my art is also known as graffiti. I am identified in the graffiti world as SOAP45 from Paterson, NJ where I was born and raised and where I helped pioneer this type of art starting in 1978.My art is extremely important to me. It became an outlet for self-healing after I was abused at the age 9.
Creating art has always provided me a positive escape where I could see the colors, shapes and forms for expressing myself, and allowed me to find happiness in a place that could do no harm to me.
I paint one-of-a-kind portraits and subway model trains along with other thematic subject matter, using some of the tools included in this exhibit.
I want to thank my wife Lidyana Calle Vega for never letting me give up on my art, my kids Emalee and John Vega for their love and continued support, as well as my extended family and friends. A special thank you to Duke University Hospital for allowing this dream to come true. Johnny Vega