Each individual on earth is a protagonist. We all have a nuanced impact; an interdependent part to play in humanity’s story. Each day we write another line, adding to another chapter deeply connected our past and woven into our collective future. What will happen when we turn the page ...?
The National Library of New Zealand approached me to help them enliven the public space of their building with the goal of making a trip to the library more engaging and memorable. I was given two walls to tell a compelling story exploring global themes. The only specific request was that ‘books’ was incorporated, and that it worked with or around an existing mirror on one of the walls.
The driving idea for these two murals was to remind each person that they are the protagonist and we, humanity, mirror the world.
With this in mind I have highlighted the existing mirror in the hallway space by placing a pink ‘glow’ around its perimeter – inviting onlookers to visually place themselves in the scene and literally become part of the story. It also makes the mirror feel fully integrated and intentional with the concept.
Our story explores global themes – the biggest being climate change and how sub-themes like food security, power struggles/balance of nature vs man, sustainability and technology support the plot; What is humanity’s lasting legacy?
Abstracting these issues is key in making for a cohesive visual narrative that inspires and invites the eye for a closer look. A rich collage built up of individual elements and textures piece together an otherworldly reality; Fiction based on pieces of our real history and inspired by our potential future. How do we, as individuals, play a role?
Within the visual representation of the above idea, a book appears to float below the main scene. Pink rays of light lift off the blank pages, and strike through and present us our story above.
A variety of objects/images have been used to complete this remixed environment/story. Primarily natural curiosities; the sea and sky dominate while flora and sometimes abstract fauna are remixed with man made objects and structures. This creates a rich vignette full of unexpected combinations and juxtapositions.
To accommodate the budget requirements both murals share similar (and in some instances the same) assets, but are remixed and reworked so each mural presents its own composition while feeling connected.
If it’s said , ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’, let us contemplate how many words are a collage worth? Millions or billions...? This collage can tell unlimited words and stories.
Mural one (larger wall, 4.5 x 2 metres, with mirror)
Mural two (smaller wall, 2.5 x 2 metres)
