Bridge Mural Project

BriefCommissioned to create a transportable mural for Bridge Probation Services, to initially fill the area surrounding the staircase of their premises off Parnell Street. This mural was to represent Bridge and involve the participants of the programme. There was to be no overt reference to anti-social behaviour such as drug use/ paraphernalia or symbols associated with drug use, weapons, crime or capital punishment, the mural was to be hopeful in outlook.

ProcessIt was to involve the participants of the programme in all stages of the the process, from initial concept right through to production. The project would be treated as art classes within the Bridge programme itself so as to not alter the group’s timetable and provide a level of stability to them.

Moving on from the initial meeting with the representatives of Bridge, it was agreed that another meeting involving the participants of the programme would be held. This would involve a brainstorming session where ideas and concepts would be discussed.

From this meeting, the project began to take shape, the mural would involve the idea of a divide from past to present, this would be linked by a lighthouse at the changing point. Colour schemes would be used to represent the moods of both sections, darker, greyer tones for the past and brighter more vibrant colours for the present/future.

From this initial brainstorming session, a series of classes were run from which the participants were encouraged to draw images they associate with both the positive and negative sections of the proposed mural. From these classes the ideas were expanded upon and the mural began to evolve.

These drawings were then combined together to create an initial sketch, with one side of the mural being a stormy seascape and the other being an ‘ideal’ of Dublin, framed by a mountain range. This was then transferred onto sheets of MDF; this would allow for the mural to be transported in the future and allowed us to work off site. The divide would happen at the lighthouse creating two panels, the larger measuring 250cm x 120cm and the smaller being 190 x 120cm.

This was then painted using acrylic paint in conjunction with the participants of the class over several weeks. The mural was brought up to a high rendering, then finished off by myself and the other artist involved on the project. This involved putting small details and finishes on the piece, along with support beams and split batons for hanging.

Evolution of the Mural

Completion and Installation

The last aspect of the mural to be completed before installation, was the concept of the jigsaw discussed throughout the project. This was to expand upon the aim of Bridge to rebuild the lives of the participants, as the mural gets closer to the lighthouse the jigsaw starts to come together and then is complete on the bright panel.

The mural was then installed over the staircase in Bridge, so as the viewer enters their initial view is of the darken panel, then as they ascend the staircase the second panel becomes visible and is in full view as they enter the door to the Bridge reception.