Public Art: Murals & Installations
"Let Flowers Blossom, Not Algae Bloom". Storm drain mural
Title: Let Flowers Blossom, Not Algae Bloom
Storm Drain Mural:
While the concept is presented as a vibrant & whimsical scene, featuring flora and fauna interacting with the storm drain, it draws upon the importance of stormwater ponds and wetlands in water pollution treatment.
Medium:
tintable cement stain.
Dimensions:
11’h * 14’w = 154 sf
Installation Location/s:
Eubanks Park & Ride, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, May 1, 2024 - present.
Date/s Created:
May 1 - 12, 2024
Concept
My concept for the Chapel Hill Storm Drain Mural, especially the artistic style of the water and water-slicked tunnel (drain) in this scene, is directly inspired by the dynamics of algae and algae blooms, learned from reading “Algae in Stormwater ponds and wetlands” from the town of Chapel Hill’s website.
This mural pictorially shows the flow of rain water from the tunnel (drain) into a fish-filled creek with a heron perched on the bank. The loose arrangement of floral blooms surrounding the entire scene reflects the organic form of nature. The semi-circular form is meant to symbolize the cyclical nature of rainwater.
The concept of "blooms" takes on a literal and symbolic significance, further reinforcing the connection between the drains and the natural environment, as pollutants that enter those drains are what leads to algae blooms. The deeper meaning is the crucial role of stormwater ponds and wetlands in water pollution treatment.
Clear messaging “Drains to Old Field Creek” combined with playful imagery is meant to communicate connections between the storm drains and the specific waterways they are connected to, both educating and empowering viewers to take action in preserving water resources that are part of a greater ecosystem.