Titled 49 Angels, the sculpture captures the essence of remembrance and transformation, honoring the victims through a powerful and vibrant display. Filipino-American artist Jefre Manuel Figueras, best known for his artistic nom de plume Jefre, has unveiled a deeply moving tribute to the 49 lives lost during the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, in June 2016. His poignant artwork, titled 49 Angels , captures the essence of remembrance and transformation, honoring the victims through a powerful and vibrant display.
The sculpture features 49 angels, each symbolizing a victim of the tragedy, gracefully transforming into a flame. This transformation embodies their enduring legacy and the light they brought into the world. Jefre masterfully incorporates the energy of a rainbow into the angel wings, forming a vibrant flame that radiates all the colors of the rainbow.
This flame symbolizes the diversity and beauty of the lives lost. The name of each victim is embedded within the flame, to be honored and remembered forever. “The Pulse Nightclub tragedy was a heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by the LGBTQ+ community worldwide.
This happening on Pride Month, nonetheless, made it even more devastating for everyone in the community,” said the artist. “ 49 Angels is my way of honoring those we lost because of the senseless violence that happened that night and reaffirming our collective commitment to creating a more inclusive world.” The unveiling of .