On July 30th 1942, The Calgary Herald published a descriptive article telling the story about the capture of a Sea Creature in the Bowness Lagoon. The article gained popularity throughout the province and details of the capture were written in surprising and gory detail from the perspective of the parks superintendent, John McDonald. Since then the story had faded away until now. The concept for this artwork came to life at NeighbourDay celebration and started designing shortly afterwards. The design was freehand sketched onto the wall and painted with Chroma Acrylic Mural Paint while working from at stand up paddle board.
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The mural can be interpreted in two ways:
1. The lingcod as it is seen from head to tail is about to eat the Bowness Heart.
2. A map showing the journey of the lingcod through the Rockies and into Bowness Lagoon. It’s features include:
- the tail with an image inside representing an Owl
- the top fin as the Rocky Mountains
- rolling hills below the mountains
- the depth of the Bow River made from river rocks
- orange fin is a porcupine
- green (above porcupine) is trees
- the head represents the lagoon with the eye being the phonograph that plays music
The length and height of the fish is a scaled down version of Bowness Park from water inlet to water outlet back into the main river and south lagoon shore to Baker Park shore.
Location: Underneath entrance bridge leading into Bowness Park, Calgary
Collaboration: Bowness Community Association
Grant: Calgary Arts and Culture Community Initiative Micro-grant
Agreements: Calgary Roads, Calgary Parks
