Muralists around the world have responded to the COVID-19 crisis with messages of hope, endurance and persistence, as well as images that honour frontline health-care workers. That message is particularly strong in Vancouver, a result of both the lockdown and community action.
When shops closed in March, many Vancouver retailers boarded up their premises with plywood. Muralists responded quickly with spontaneous tributes to medical workers. But soon that activity exploded into an organized movement.
“I think anyone who saw those blank walls said we can do a little better and do something a little more interesting,” says David Vertesi, executive director of the Vancouver Mural Festival.
The festival used its clout to connect landlords, retailers, business associations and city hall with its roster of local artists.
Artist Will Phillips at work on a Vancouver mural that pays tribute to medical workers. (photo by Gabriel Martins)
“We needed artists who were very experienced, who we could trust on site,” says Vertesi. “We told them we were looking for images and text that spark joy, celebrate resilience and spread positivity. We told them this is for the public, not for your portfolio.”
The response was immediate. More than 50 pandemic murals have been painted in the downtown core in a variety of styles. Some are whimsical, some sobering. All implore the public to stay safe.
Artist Sandeep Johal’s mural in Vancouver encourages people to hang in there. (photo by Gabriel Martin)
Sandeep Johal’s cheery mural tells passersby to "hang in there."
“Art has a way of connecting and uplifting people,” says Johal. “I truly believe art can save the world.”
The artists are being paid by three participating business associations with matching funds from Vancity, a local credit union. The city’s mural support program provided supplies.
The plywood murals are temporary and are being removed as shops reopen. But not all are destined for the chipper.
At least one business association is looking for ways to repurpose or display some of them, which might include taking over parking spaces to create pop-up patios or brightening laneways. The Museum of Vancouver may add one or two to its collection and Vertesi says he would like to display some at this year’s mural festival, which runs July 30 to Aug. 8.
David Austin’s mural offers a thank-you to health-care workers in Vancouver. (photo by Ted McGrath)
Vancouver, like Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, hosts juried summer festivals that attract local and international mural artists. While the festivals are not specifically asking for submissions related to the coronavirus, the pandemic has definitely affected their plans.
Calgary’s Beltline Urban Murals Project, which runs Aug. 26 to Aug. 29, says it has received fewer international submissions this year because of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, social-distancing rules have forced Winnipeg`s Wall-to-Wall Mural and Cultural Festival to rethink its entire process for its events in September. Artists will not travel to Winnipeg to paint on site. Instead, successful designs will be transferred onto sticky vinyl sheets for display.
Regina’s Urban Canvas Project, which just closed this year’s competition for laneway art, will also digitally transfer designs to vinyl. Edmonton’s Rust Magic International Mural Festival has yet to confirm a summer event.
A Vancouver mural by Chairman Ting offers hope for difficult times. (photo by John Thomson)
Vertesi underscores the ability of mural artists to tackle current events.
“Murals are semi-permanent,” he says. “That’s the beauty of it. There’s a real power in things that aren’t here forever.”
Despite the short run of the coronavirus murals in Vancouver, he says artists wanted to make a statement
“It was very meaningful to everybody we spoke to,” he says. “It wasn’t one person’s idea. It was anyone who wanted to fight back against the sense of being disconnected, who wanted to bring some sense of joy and warmth to the streets.” ■
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