Looking Down the Stairs by Francis Hsueh Reimagined (by Josefina Hernández)

A Unique Collaboration

"Looking Down the Stairs by Francis Hsueh Reimagined”

Josefina Hernández

Cyanotype & Archival print collage,

16” x 20” 2025

In an earlier period of my life, I often had the chance to take someone else’s creative work and remix it into something new. As an electronic music artist, I would receive the stems, or individual instrument tracks, extracted from another artist’s release and be expected to turn that into a new piece. The goal of a remix was to take the ingredients of an already tasty tune and sauté it into a new dish. The new work honored the sonic foundation of the original but was unmistakably me.

My painting, Looking Down the Stairs, is personally one of my favorites and, in a sense, it remixes the stairs into an experience that enables friends and neighbors to see our local landmark in a new light. Recently, the Community Subway Elevator Program gave me the opportunity to share the Stairs widely with commuters. The positive reaction I’ve received since hanging the Stairs in the subway elevator at 190th Street in Washington Heights inspired me to find a way to deepen the painting’s impact.

After seeing Josefina Hernández’s solo exhibit of cyanotype collages at our favorite local coffee shop (Buunni Coffee), I knew this was the direction that the Stairs needed. Not only do we own one of her beautiful collages from that show, but Josefina has now extracted the Stairs’s ingredients and reassembled them into a uniquely uptown collage that truly elevates what was already there.

- Francis Hsueh

When Francis approached me to create a one-of-a-kind “remix” of his iconic piece Looking Down the Stairs I was immediately flooded by the possibilities. I approached this collaboration as an exercise in highlighting the natural and architectural elements of the stairs. My work is deeply inspired by the beauty in the mundane and this neighborhood landmark has been a part of my walks for years. The landscape changes tremendously over the seasons and I wanted to play with that as well. I created this piece over the lush summer months, while Francis’ painting depicts the coldest of months.

The cyanotype squares are printed with plants that I collected growing in the smallest of cracks around the stair steps. The movement of the leaves going upwards contrasts with Francis’ stairs looking down creating a dynamic quality.

- Josefina Hernández

See more of Josefina's art at www.josefinahernandez.com

Original Artwork (16"x20"; 19"x25" framed) is now pending sale.

Limited edition fine art prints (11"x14") include a white border and are printed on 100% cotton paper, featuring a distinct textured surface (310 gsm; Acid, OBA, and Lignin Free). Each print is numbered and signed, limited to 50 editions. 

All other sizes feature acid-free, 100% cotton rag paper with a bright white, smooth surface.

Discount codes do not apply.

Exhibits

Sun Soaked Memories, Solo Show, Josefina Hernández, Buunni Coffee Pinehurst, New York, NY (September 2025)

See the original painting "Looking Down the Stairs" which inspired this print collage.