GIMME, GIMME SHELTER! IT'S JUST A BARK AWAY!
Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking the city of Philadelphia's Mural Arts Tour. Despite the heat and stink of the city, it was exciting way to spend an afternoon field trip, taking in all the works peppered in Center City.
By far, my favorite (out of the fourteen murals we visited) was " Gimme Shelter" by artist, David Guinn. The mural, completed in 2004, resides on the left hand side of the Morris Animal Refuge. I am a sucker for shelters because I believe even misfits need a home.
Coming upon the mural, I had a smile on my face from ear to ear. "WOW!" I said to myself, "This must be what heaven is like for dogs." As I approached closer to the mural, I noticed dogs were not the only animals depicted. Among man's best friend were: cats, birds, rabbits, an iguana and a goldfish.
The animals are not random images from Guinn's imagination but are derived from real life ex-sheltered creatures. The subjects were determined by a raffle, which the proceeds went to fund both the mural and the shelter. Since the raffle was highly advertised, the shelter received more than a few entries.
During the opening ceremony of the mural, Guinn stated, "Murals are so may things to me. each mural is an odyssey. Each design is like a map. With every mural I learn a lot about the people and place I am painting for, and about myself."
For once I wished I had the power to transport myself into such a wonderful and uplifting work of art. Guinn's composition certainly is a modern version of Edward Hicks' Peaceable Kingdom. But my only question is, "How the heck did he get all those animals to stand still?" :)
No comments:
Post a Comment