2. Brief
Commissioned 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.
3. Process
It 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
8. 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.
