Social Justice Mural Project in Gainesville, FL
"SJ Feminism", 8' x 8', Acrylic on wood, 2020, location: Martin Luther King Multipurpose Center, Gainesville, FL
Sponsored by the City of Gainesville and 352Walls, the project highlights the Social Justice movement with 12 selected mural artists expressing their personal perspectives thru their work. I am so happy to be a part of this endeavor. Scroll down to view my mural from start to finish.
www.wcjb.com/2020/12/17/social-justice-mural-project-to-bring-color-and-change-to-gainesville/
www.wcjb.com/2020/12/17/social-justice-mural-project-to-bring-color-and-change-to-gainesville/
Artist Statement: In the 1960’s and 70’s, Gainesville, FL was recognized as a US city at the forefront of the Women’s Rights Movement. Contemporaries of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, local activists protested the status quo of women’s health, sexuality, and employment, and founded several feminist institutions.
While a number of legislation and other non-feminist institutions rose in the country during the 1980’s, many original feminist institutions in Gainesville consequently fell by the wayside. Indeed, we are witnessing even more anti-feminist legislation today, so much so, that Women’s Rights and Social Justice advocates continue to struggle against the status quo that looks and sounds like a ghost from the past.
Inspired by the legacy of these women of the 60’s and 70’s, the “SJ Feminism” mural honors the work of our foremothers. It calls out to today’s advocates for Women’s Rights and Social Justice Feminism, to act with renewed vigor and determination in the challenge surrounding issues of oppression dealing with race, class, sexuality, and citizenship that goes beyond feminist advocacies of the 60’s and 70’s.
The transparent background is a collection of Iris flowers that honor the Gainesville feminists who started several institutions, including local feminist book stores during the 60’s and 70’s. Most notably, The Wild Iris Book Store, closed it’s doors just a few years ago. The woman signifies the movement towards Social Justice Feminism today, recognizing current issues of oppression of all marginalized groups of people. Her eyes are closed, denying access to the woman’s inner thoughts and forcing the viewer into a silent, powerful place of thinking about and engaging with the message, rather than being preoccupied with the aesthetics of open eyes.
While a number of legislation and other non-feminist institutions rose in the country during the 1980’s, many original feminist institutions in Gainesville consequently fell by the wayside. Indeed, we are witnessing even more anti-feminist legislation today, so much so, that Women’s Rights and Social Justice advocates continue to struggle against the status quo that looks and sounds like a ghost from the past.
Inspired by the legacy of these women of the 60’s and 70’s, the “SJ Feminism” mural honors the work of our foremothers. It calls out to today’s advocates for Women’s Rights and Social Justice Feminism, to act with renewed vigor and determination in the challenge surrounding issues of oppression dealing with race, class, sexuality, and citizenship that goes beyond feminist advocacies of the 60’s and 70’s.
The transparent background is a collection of Iris flowers that honor the Gainesville feminists who started several institutions, including local feminist book stores during the 60’s and 70’s. Most notably, The Wild Iris Book Store, closed it’s doors just a few years ago. The woman signifies the movement towards Social Justice Feminism today, recognizing current issues of oppression of all marginalized groups of people. Her eyes are closed, denying access to the woman’s inner thoughts and forcing the viewer into a silent, powerful place of thinking about and engaging with the message, rather than being preoccupied with the aesthetics of open eyes.
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Day 1: Plan out and layout the image using the grid method. In this video I measured out one foot increments on an 8' x 8' panel. I then used a chalk line to map out the grid of 64 sections.
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Following an image I have of the design on a grid, I drew the image using what I saw in each section.
Day 2: I started adding color. Shades of yellows and pinks around the face are the easiest to define on this image. It gets more complicated as these hues move into the face, so establishing the baseline of color is what I was going for today. It was a cold day and I had to wear gloves. By 4pm, working in the shade became too cold and I had to stop. I will definitely dress warmer next time.
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Day 3: A great day for painting outside! The weather warmed up and the paint dried quickly. Had a couple of visitors including WJCB TV20. I added more color and details in the flowers and leaves around the face. Bringing the nuances of the shapes out as they go through the Equality symbol. Tomorrow I will start to incorporate the shapes into the face.
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Day 4: Painting the face which has a layer of the flowers and leaves running through it. The flowers around the face are mostly warm and so I want the face to be warm as well. Getting these colors just right is important.
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Day 5: Continuing with the face, I am developing a variety of warm hues to apply to more detailed shapes and areas. These colors are palatable and inviting. They are really starting to bring out the layering of the flowers and leaves that I am trying to achieve. The heavy drizzle of rain cut the day short.
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Day 6: A bright, clear and cool day - perfect for painting outside. Here, I completed the right side of the face with subtle browns and reds. Most details have been put in
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place, but a few more will eventually need to be added. . Day 7: Cold but bright with a warming sun. The face is almost complete!
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Day 8: Completed the face, and added the line work - both thick and thin. I had some clear, sunny days that helped a lot!