CELEBRATING LOCAL SUCCESS
Huston-Tillotson University Harvesting Hope Mural Project
This environmental justice mural has been in the works with Huston-Tillotson University for several years, and it was incredible to see it come to life at the unveiling on April 22, 2023.
Artist Candy Kuo is a Taiwan-born visual artist and muralist currently based out of Austin, Texas. With a background in fashion studies and music, her pieces often feature strong female portraiture, bright colorways, playful depictions of local flora and fauna, as well as influences from pop culture and musical inspirations. She blends styles and motifs from her experiences growing up in Taiwan and the Rio Grande Valley, creating an East meets West style.
CANDY'S INSPIRATION
...this project carries so much significance and potential socio-environmental impact in what we are trying to convey artistically...
You can see this mural on the Southwest wall of the Dikey-Lawless Science Building at Huston-Tilllotson University’s Campus
“I have designed with specific project parameters in mind before, but this has honestly been a very unique and emotional experience, as this project carries so much significance and potential socio-environmental impact in what we are trying to convey artistically. With this piece, I truly hope to be able to efficiently and effectively absorb and interpret what has been said by the many voices I have had the privilege to converse with and learn from and translate everything into a visual composition that can strongly and cohesively convey the importance of environmental justice, the ongoing fights around the current issues, racial equity and its relationship with the environment, and the devastating effects of the fallout from untethered industrial sprawl and pollution.
I wanted to have a very defined visual division between the injustices being perpetrated versus the idyllic future in the open archway. The dichotomy between what has been East Austin and what can be if given the chance and necessary changes. The literal marker between the two sides is a single protestor carrying a sign. The sign simply states East Austin. It can be interpreted as a sign for hope, a sign for change, a call for recognition and representation. They face toward the central figure. Looking to the brighter future a symbol of what stands for change and the difference between what is wrong and what is just.
The female figure and hands holding the dirt and plant are Mother Nature's protective embrace and perseverance. It represents the resilience of people and the life that community brings, protecting the growth of life, nature, and sustainability. She reaches up and hands the new earth to a child’s open hands. A symbol of hope, a new generation living prosperous and abundant lives. I hope it is a reminder to all to think of what we are leaving our children and their children. The mother nature figure faces towards the utopian side of the wall, represented by the thriving and lush vegetation as well as the plethora of edible fruits and vegetables she seems to be rising out of, representing a future with no food scarcity and fertile lands. The bluebonnets are a soft nod to the original name of Bluebonnet Hill for the site of the University and the wildflowers that used to grow there.
To her back, the dead branches are choked out by the pollution from the smokestack below. The colors are intentionally desaturated to provide even more of a difference in value between the two sides. The tank farms are clearly seen atop a pile of trash and rubble, large and foreboding, a drastic contrast to the bright and organic nature of the living mural side. Even so, a single flower can be seen growing through the open top of a discarded can. Nature perseveres.
The archway represents a gateway between Earth and her people, between our choices and the future. It also represents bridging different intersections of disciplines, the past and present, and the different communities that are brought together. Since the wall faces west, I wanted to depict a Texas sunrise in the background, with the figures basking in the comforting glow of a new morning, like you are seeing through a tranquil portal into a sustainable world that honors the past and protects the future, while holding space for the present fight that bridges the “now” and “then.”
The entire composition will fade to the bottom and create almost a facade or faux finish look of the brick crumbling away to reveal this mural beneath. I wanted the image to be an unveiling in itself of sorts. To unmask the injustices being perpetrated while simultaneously unearthing this vision of what could be. This effect will also account for the design challenge of the trees continuing to grow after the completion of the mural and in the years to come.”
I wanted to have a very defined visual division between the injustices being perpetrated versus the idyllic future in the open archway. The dichotomy between what has been East Austin and what can be if given the chance and necessary changes. The literal marker between the two sides is a single protestor carrying a sign. The sign simply states East Austin. It can be interpreted as a sign for hope, a sign for change, a call for recognition and representation. They face toward the central figure. Looking to the brighter future a symbol of what stands for change and the difference between what is wrong and what is just.
The female figure and hands holding the dirt and plant are Mother Nature's protective embrace and perseverance. It represents the resilience of people and the life that community brings, protecting the growth of life, nature, and sustainability. She reaches up and hands the new earth to a child’s open hands. A symbol of hope, a new generation living prosperous and abundant lives. I hope it is a reminder to all to think of what we are leaving our children and their children. The mother nature figure faces towards the utopian side of the wall, represented by the thriving and lush vegetation as well as the plethora of edible fruits and vegetables she seems to be rising out of, representing a future with no food scarcity and fertile lands. The bluebonnets are a soft nod to the original name of Bluebonnet Hill for the site of the University and the wildflowers that used to grow there.
To her back, the dead branches are choked out by the pollution from the smokestack below. The colors are intentionally desaturated to provide even more of a difference in value between the two sides. The tank farms are clearly seen atop a pile of trash and rubble, large and foreboding, a drastic contrast to the bright and organic nature of the living mural side. Even so, a single flower can be seen growing through the open top of a discarded can. Nature perseveres.
The archway represents a gateway between Earth and her people, between our choices and the future. It also represents bridging different intersections of disciplines, the past and present, and the different communities that are brought together. Since the wall faces west, I wanted to depict a Texas sunrise in the background, with the figures basking in the comforting glow of a new morning, like you are seeing through a tranquil portal into a sustainable world that honors the past and protects the future, while holding space for the present fight that bridges the “now” and “then.”
The entire composition will fade to the bottom and create almost a facade or faux finish look of the brick crumbling away to reveal this mural beneath. I wanted the image to be an unveiling in itself of sorts. To unmask the injustices being perpetrated while simultaneously unearthing this vision of what could be. This effect will also account for the design challenge of the trees continuing to grow after the completion of the mural and in the years to come.”
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MANY THANKS TO
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The Austin Cohort Team
Raasin McIntosh, Alexandria Anderson, J Muzac, Carmen Rangel, Oscar Garza, Codi Chen, Renee Chen, Nae Daze, Leta Harrison, Kris Sanchez, Frances Pearl Moreno, Dashade, Zach Lyons, Douglas Barber, Cynthia Anderson, Dr. Vargas Huston-Tillotson University Sustainability Department Amanda Masino, Karen Magid, Colette Pierce Burnette Philadelphia Mural Arts Community Partners Austin Creative Alliance, PODER Austin, Six Square, ATX Mosaic Workshop Harvesting Hope Unveiling Outstanding Performers Skye Howl (Indigenous land dedication), Jennine Krueger (poet), Kaina Adderley (singer) |
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