Cracks aren’t just a nuisance.
In New York City, the MTA is not merely a transportation service—it’s essential for the daily lives of its more than 8 million users. But, inevitability, wear and tear happens.
In a fascinating twist, a Brooklyn artist has found a way to transform a specific flaw within the system into something beautiful—one cracked tile at a time.
Eujue, without a surname, recently gained attention on social media, her post amassing over a million views as she shared a video of herself replacing a damaged “E” tile at the Delancey St.-Essex St. station on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
But rather than reverting to the standard black lettering, she replaced it with a unique ceramic piece featuring a living “E” created from chia plants.
Eujue explained to The Post that the idea struck her after recalling a poem from her college days—All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace, written by Richard Brautigan.
“It envisioned a future where technology, plants, and animals harmoniously existed. It inspired me to create speculative objects that might thrive in a post-apocalyptic setting—a realm where nature reclaims its ground,” the artist, who has a deep appreciation for nature, told The Post.
Eujue aims to change the perception of missing tiles from just being a maintenance issue. She hopes this initiative inspires other creatives to “reshape the city around them.”
“New York has long been a canvas for artists who contribute to its culture, and I want our public areas to reflect that. I wish for the spaces we frequent daily to feel more looked after and to foster connections among residents,” she shared.
The effort began at Delancey St., but there’s more in store.
Eujue, alongside her brother, created NYC Tile Watch, a platform for New Yorkers to report missing or damaged subway tiles. The site aims to bridge routine maintenance with public art initiatives.
When a report is submitted, local artists can take on the task of transforming those broken tiles into their own artistic interpretations, injecting some liveliness into the often dreary subway environment.
The initiative is gaining momentum—drawing interest even from Mayor Mamdani. Eujue is currently discussing with the Mayor’s office and the MTA how NYC Tile Watch could potentially evolve into an official program.
As of now, Eujue stated that the website has gathered 24 validated reports.
Subway passengers can fill out a form indicating their interest in the NYC Tile Watch project, potentially boosting local artist involvement.
“Replacing the missing ‘E’ tile was a minor adjustment, yet it made me reflect on the many overlooked areas we pass by daily,” the artist expressed.
The TikTok that catapulted Eujue into the spotlight has received numerous comments applauding her efforts, and it’s made her somewhat of a “subway hero” online.
In just a week, she’s gained thousands of likes and followers on her social platforms.
“This is NYC! Art really moves our city; I love it, it’s so quintessentially New York,” one enthusiastic user remarked.
Another user suggested a way for New Yorkers to help out: “What if we chipped in to water them too? That way, they’d last a little longer!”
For Eujue, this is merely the beginning. She’s committed to ensuring that both locals and visitors develop a connection to their environment.
“I aspire to make the public spaces we navigate feel more valued and more in touch with the people inhabiting them,” she concluded.
