Aerosol Art Mural

The Work

Brilliant colours and whimsical forms progress through images from the lake at one end to vineyards, orchards and gardens at the other.

The Project

The mural is applied to a concrete retaining wall facing onto Duggan Park. The wall is the property of the adjacent home owners and was a constant target for graffiti. The project was an initiative of the Graffiti Eradication & Prevention Program which assists property owners with graffiti removal and coordinates community-based education and action to deter graffiti.

As part of a larger strategy called iSpaces (Interactive Spaces) to improve the park environment, the Graffiti Program partnered with the City of Kelowna Parks Department, the School District, local residents, Parks Alive! and the Public Art Program. The mural was a component of the overall strategy to deter graffiti and to deter other vandalism in the Park. The cost of the mural was supported by a contribution of $500 from the Public Art Program. It was completed and dedicated in September 2006.

The Artist

Lars Widell's passion in life is the arts. He has used his artistic abilities to create a niche in his stone building business while spending his spare time painting. His medium of choice is aerosol paint. Growing up by the main CPR junction in Tete Jaune Cache BC, he enjoyed hours of watching the freights roll by. Admiring the graffiti writers’ art work, he chose to dabble in this misunderstood art form. Building fast spontaneous layers of colour and shapes really appealed to his style and helped him develop his form. He has created many murals, logos, canvasses and record covers, and built 3-dimensional projects inspired by his aerosol background.

Viewing

The work is located in Duggan Park on the north side of Bernard Avenue between Highland Drive and Elm Street (1494 Bernard Ave.)