GCC Studio Arts Diptych Mural
Studio Arts at Glendale Community College held a competition in the Fall of 2016, with the winning artists getting to paint their South outdoor panels.
My submission won! "Based on the strength" of my application, they asked me if I'd be interested in painting both panels as a diptych. Though it meant more work, it also meant that I could tell a stronger story and exhibit more focus visually.
The original competition flyer, as well as part of the congratulations message.
My completed mural "At 6 Degrees"
My "At 6 Degrees" mural. They asked me to paint both panels instead of just one.
Finally, I got to design and paint a mural on my own. This opportunity also allowed me to contribute to the climate change dialogue that other artists like Agnes Denes and Favianna Rodriguez have been cultivating for years.
Around the time of the Studio Arts competition, I was learning more and more about climate change. During every day interactions, I was seeing how the topic made people feel angry, hopeless, and/ or disinterested including myself. But I also started recognizing that art gave me and others a way to channel our feelings and spark conversations.
In fact, I created this painting below which I call "At 6 Degrees Warmer" in response to my newfound knowledge and growing frustration about global warming. This artwork became the inspiration for my mural submission. It's made entirely of paint chips. Check out my process video.
My "At 6 Degrees Warmer" painting made entirely of paint chips.
Original sketch.
Each panel measured 8 ft by 4 ft.
Special thanks to Davin K. for your help and support.
My initial color palette
First panel in progress...
Second panel's evolution...
In the midst of painting the 1st panel, I was still figuring out what my 2nd panel would be about. I definitely wanted the panels to be in harmony with each other. Eventually I figured it out.
The mural design made on Photoshop and the actual mural in progress.
A week before I completed the mural, GCC Studio Arts Faculty informed me that they would host a reception for me and "At 6 Degrees". During that reception, I was able to talk about climate change with students and faculty including David Viar, the Superintendent/ President of Glendale Community College (photographed below).
My mural no longer exists on the walls of GCC Studio Arts. From the very beginning, the faculty informed me that it would only be a temporary art installation. But I have prolonged the life of this mural by developing a related ongoing interactive project that asks the public: What will you miss most when we're extinct and gone?
*** More on that in another Behance Project page.
Thank you GCC Studio Arts faculty and Glendale Community College for the memories and a truly priceless experience.
Article about my mural "At 6 Degrees"
I loved discovering people looking "At 6 Degrees". What did they see? How did it make them feel?
