Jacaranda Lullaby Mural
I have the chance to design and paint one of Brisbane traffic box. I chose to portray the vibrant blooms of jacarandas with the iconic Queenslander house in the background to celebrate these trees on the side of Coronation Drive where my artbox is located.
The box is located on the junction of Chasely St and Coronation Drive.
Artforce Brisbane Project
Year
2024
The Story
I am an international student living in Brisbane, with a burning passion for Creative Art. I still remember the day when I came across this really cool looking artist with his headphones on and was so immersed in his creative world, painting this electric box with such passion on O'Keefe St. There was a WIP sign in front of his working area, and that is how I know of Artforce Brisbane.
I immediately signed up after seeing him putting all his dedication and effort into creating this amazing public art. However, I always missed the opportunity to register to paint, simply because I did not go to the website at the right time.
Fast forward to today, two years later, I am still here, an international student with a persistent dream of giving something back to the community. I have received an offer to paint a mural box in Auchenflower, where I live. It became a story that reminds me: good things are worth waiting for.
Rationale
The concept of this artwork revolves around celebrating the beauty of Brisbane's iconic Jacaranda trees. Located on Coronation Drive, the electric box provides the perfect canvas to capture the essence of the local area.
The Jacarandas, with their breathtaking blooms in summer, stands as a symbol of the city's charm, especially along the river and Coronation Drive. This also reminds me of hoa bằng lăng in Vietnam, they bloom so vibrantly when it is the exam season towards the end of a school year. To complement this natural beauty, a quintessential feature of Queensland architecture - the "Queenslander House" - is also depicted, adding a touch of heritage and cultural significance to the artwork.
Adding to the composition is the image of a young boy sitting beneath the shape of a Jacaranda tree, immersed himself in a book. This image represents the ever-evolving learning spirit amongst the youth, surrounded by their loving neighbourhood. It is a harmony of serenity, growth, and the timeless bond between nature and community.
The Process
This was my intital sketch of the mural. This was before the Artforce Brisbane team advised that the back side (facing the fence) can also be painted with minimal illustrations.
After realising that the Box ID might hide away the initial idea of a bus stop station, I ended up drawing a boy sitting down under the tree to represent the spirit of learning in Australian youth. I also ended up getting rid of the street lamp in the final outcome since it is obstructed by the tag.
