Amy Bao
6611 No 4 Rd, Richmond, BC
Area:
East Richmond
Location:
Mural is located at the east facing wall adjacent to the entrance of the school.
Materials:
Exterior latex paint
Program: Community
Ownership: Community
Sponsored By: City of Richmond
Description of Work
A mural on the exterior Southeast corner of A.R. MacNeill Secondary School. The design encompasses the wall without interfering with the letters of the school’s signage on the top left corner. The design also covers the door, overhead canopy, rain drainpipe, bollards, and the walking path leading to the door.
Artist Statement
The concept for this mural arose from engagement sessions and workshops with A.R. MacNeill students and staff. The artist was inspired by their enthusiasm for the school and the project, the collages the art students created, and the embrace of the imagery of ravens.
The sky takes the shape of a large raven, with its head formed from the sun and clouds, its wings stretching to envelope the environment. It ushers the smaller ravens through the world, like teachers mentoring students.
Three smaller ravens in the foreground inhabit the landscape, illustrating different stages of life and growth. The nesting raven is new beginnings. The raven landing on the stump is change, like new growth emerges from fallen trees. The flying raven is the culmination of growth, ready for the next stage of its journey.
The design makes full use of the geometry of the wall and its surroundings. It flows around the existing lettering of the school’s name. All structures near the wall – drainage, bollards, canopy – are incorporated for an immersive view.
The wall depicts an upright landscape while the walking path is an aerial view of a river, transitioning into the riverbank, stones leading visitors to the wall. A tall cliff on the right meets the full height of the connecting wall, while smaller rocks on the left allow an open sky towards the open corner of the school.
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