In September of 2020 I started painting my first mural. The wall was 56 feet long by 17 feet tall on the side of the ARTLAB building in Greenville, NC. I teach painting and drawing and have had many students go on to do amazing things, including become muralists. How hard could it be, right?
It almost killed me.
I had planned on thoroughly documenting my Quixotic endeavor here with the necessary sober and academic rigor required, as I have done on Facebook. But like everything in 2020 and 2021, events have taken a very unusual turn. In fact, five minutes before I made the video above about bubbles and finishing a mural and not dying, photographer Ryan O’neal Harper just happened to walk by and take the picture that you see before you start the video.
Behind the scenes (on Facebook) Sanny Wroblewski had contacted me to ask if I was interested in having this mural reproduced and exhibited in Beijing, China. Since I have been alive a very long time, I have had lots of people tell me that they were going to pay me buckets of money and make me famous. I told Sanny what I tell everyone that has an amazing opportunity — Of course! But, I never get my hopes up because, I am not famous, but I do have a jar of quarters.
Anyway, Sanny continued to contact me with details and started including other people, so I started paying attention. She then asked me to send a photo of the mural. At that time, the only high quality photo I had was Ryan’s singular amazing shot, so that is what I sent.
A few weeks later, she sent me these pictures and kept explaining things. But I could not wrap my head around what was going to happen.
Then I received the picture below, which was by far the most engaging and confusing of all of them.
From her first inquiry, Sanny had said she wanted to reproduce the flying fish mural in China, so when I received these images from Daniel Kennington and Sanny, I thought that this was what she meant.
But then she sent these images.
I have never been so confused and happy and overwhelmed by a series of events in my life. I am just incredibly lucky to have been included in ART FOR THE PEOPLE. My work, as well as 22 other murals are each reproduced twice around the US Embassy. One of mine is life size and is over the front door. THAT MEANS THERE ARE 2 OF ME IN CHINA RIGHT NOW 😳.
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing proudly announces the launch of Art for the People, a public art exhibit showcasing street art from the United States. The Art for the People exhibition is the first of its kind to decorate the exterior walls of the Embassy compound. This effort highlights the universal value of freedom of expression, as well as our ongoing commitment to direct engagement with the Chinese public.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken: “We want a U.S.-China relationship that includes space for direct, honest, and robust public engagement. Art for the People represents the diversity of American society. It also embodies our deep commitment to genuine exchange with the Chinese people.”
American cities are home to countless examples of street art–some commissioned and some created organically. All are part of a rich tradition of public art that proves art does not belong only in private museums or galleries. Art is for the people, by the people, and represents public expression at its most fundamental.
The goal of street art is not always beauty; sometimes the art seeks to inspire reflection or spark public reaction. Sometimes it is popular, sometimes it is controversial. The point is to raise awareness of important issues that affect communities, such as immigration, police reform, or drug addiction.
In showcasing 23 examples of street art we do not endorse any particular message. The artists and works on display include the voices of immigrants and visitors to the United States and represent a range of political views and social commentary from communities across the country. We are proud to create a window into this vibrant and critical part of American arts and culture.
The video below is a one minute timelapse video of the entire installation of all murals.
Thank you Sanny. You are amazing!
Sanny Wroblewski - Beijing, China