Thinking Learning Caring (2021)

Fiona Tang

6211 Forsyth Crescent, Richmond, BC

Area: Thompson
Location: The mural is located on the west facing wall of Thompson Elementary School.

Materials: Latex paint

Program: Community
Ownership: Community
Sponsored By: City of Richmond

Description of Work

The mural was inspired by James Thompson Elementary School's motto: Thinking. Learning. Caring. The mural is place at the entrance of the school, with four tigers behind grass and flowers surrounded by butterflies.

Artist Statement

Through my large scale drawings, my hope is to minimize the distance between humans and animals. I want the viewers to engage with my work emotionally and/or physically and be overwhelmed with a sense of vulnerability and wonder by the sheer size. Through interacting with these animals, the audience is made aware of their existence and I hope to reverse the passive relationship between the viewer and artwork. The subjects are chosen with a strong urge to translate them onto paper and usually reflect what I am experiencing in my personal life at the time of execution. The animals help to represent abstracted forms of battles, struggles, or successes in my life. I retain the raw beauty in their forms, the energy, and the story behind the animal to my fullest capability through research. My subject and I truly become one through the act of drawing and my feelings are translated through the intense gestural mark makings and the use of trompe l'oeil.