Mural for Fareham Car Park

 

 

Brief 

A multi storey car park has recently been built and the space for the mural is situated on a large wall viwed by the car park users on their way out.  We were asked by Fareham Borough Council to produce a mural that would be ' pleasing to the eye' so that drivers should feel a sense of contentment and well being.

 

Having recently tried the use of inks, bleach and water, I decided to use this media to produce an example of mural design.  I originally created a piece about Fareham and what I liked about the town.  I had included the gravel from the creek and the creek itself as well as the hills surrounding Fareham which are the first sight as you approach Fareham from the motorway.
I chose three specific things that I like about Fareham.  The hills surrounding the town which are particularly noticeable from the motorway, the creek and the gravel business situated by the creek.

 

 

 

 

 

However, I was able to show my design to the judge during a preliminary viewing and although my design was appreciated, the judge felt that my design did not exhude a sense of well being.  I agreed and decided to create a brighter and less dramatic design.

To this effect, I created a new painting based still on what I like in Fareham. I treated this work more like a frieze; using colours which are brighter and more restful at the same time, which I believe will give a feeling of well being. I painted some sailing boats going in different directions thus giving a feeling of movement.

 

 Evaluation

Although the outcome was disappointing as I was not chosen, I learned a lot from the experience.  I can safely say that myself amongst several in my class had the same initial reaction: 'Well I am not doing it again'.
By next morning having got over the bruised ego, I decided to give it another try as it is fair to say that I did not answer to the requirements of the brief.