Charles River Esplanade mural in progress, August 30, 2017

Tremont Street mural in progress July 17, 2017

As new murals emerged in Boston this summer,  I tried to track two through different stages of development. Both reminded me that mural artists must envision their work on a grand scale while also dealing with daily details and constant complexities. Many minds, hands, and hearts helped both murals come into being. One source common to both was the force of the non-profit organization Now and There, headed by Kate Gilbert, featuring the Year of the Woman in public art. I have referenced and quoted from their wonderful website at several points in this post. 

Artists in Action on New Public Art

Mural crew cleaning up one evening, August 30

Runner and artist, August 30

Ann Lewis discussing equipment, July 17

Ann Lewis at work completing mural, July 17

As I have discovered more about women artists with work on the established list of Public Art Walk Boston, I’ve grown alert to women artists producing new public art. They have energized me to share a few photos and links to current resources that reveal the purposes and passions of people who have made the murals happen.

Ann Lewis and “See Her”

“Lewis got to work on a 60-foot boom lift on June 16 and worked for 11 days, often in 14-hour stretches to take advantage of long summer days.”

“She and assistants Luis German Gomez Garcia-Herreros and Ryan Dias-Toppin painstakingly wheat pasted laser prints — at a scale of 36” wide and as long as 20’ long — to the wall through sweltering heat. “

“Today, the work features a larger than life photograph of Laura Minot. Her face is partially obscured by an image of the light fixture McGrath residents see every day when entering their home. “

“Below Minot in Lewis’ signature black-and-white geometric maze is a hidden word. It spells out CHOICE.”

March along Tremont St., Saturday, August 19.

“Detroit-based artist-activist Ann Lewis arrived in Boston in February 2017 with a mission burning in her heart and a big idea percolating in her head. She wanted to bring greater awareness to the challenges of incarcerated women—an often-forgotten segment of the prison population—and in particular, support them as they transition out of prison and into successful lives. She also wanted to make a mark so bold it could not be ignored in Boston’s emerging street art scene.” (The first paragraph of “A Mural Looms Large” by Kate Gilbert on the Now +There website. ) Captions for the first four photos above are quoted from the story.  For the full story, pertinent photos, and links to news articles click here.  For interview/dialogue with reflections on workshops with the women, read Martina Tanga’s post. Just added: Activist Artist: An Interview with Ann Lewis by Leah Triplett Harrington for Big Red and Shiny relates the mural to earlier projects by Ann Lewis. 

Silvia López Chavez and “Patterned Behavior”

“Elements of the mural unfold as the viewer approaches the work from the east, starting with swaths of color on the pillars and growing in detail and vibrancy into a crescendo on the 120’x13’ wall facing the Charles River. “

” It reflects on the relationships and patterns created by the human interaction with the space and the busy intersection of water, land and sky.”

“Graphic elements such as a bike, arrows, paper airplanes and boats pack a visual punch and blend with playful designs to mimic the patterns created by our interaction with the space. “

“Located just west of the Massachusetts Avenue bridge, Patterned Behavior is the first mural commissioned by the Esplanade Association and will be visible from the walking path along the river as well as from Storrow Drive, Memorial Drive, and from the river.”

“Patterned Behavior by Silvia López Chavez will transform and enliven an unwelcoming concrete underpass along The Charles River Esplanade by creating a striking, joyful mural that echoes the beauty, diversity, and energy of Boston.” First paragraph about “Patterned Behavior” on the There+Now website. Captions are quoted from that story. For the full story with colorful images and news articles, click here. Updating September 12 with this link to WBUR Artery Another Mural Pops Up in Boston by Alexa Vasquez.

Glad that I could be in the presence of these artists and murals, I hope that you can too or at least imagine such experiences, based on what this post offers.

For broader background and range, visit the websites of both artists.

For Ann Lewis, start with http://annlew.is/about/

For Silvia López Chavez, start with http://www.silvialopezchavez.com/about/