October 2016
5 October 2016
In a city known for its historical landmarks, a new place has joined the family. As the largest collaborative mural in Memphis, stretching for about one-thirds of a mile, the Wolf River flood wall has brought bright colors and character to the surrounding neighborhoods.
The event, Soul Food 5, took place October 1 on North Evergreen Street and Chelsea Avenue and is a partnership with the proposed Chelsea Greenline bike route which is scheduled to open in 2018.
The idea to for such a large undertaking was inspired by Karen Golightly, a graffiti photographer and professor at Christian Brothers University, along with the help of her colleague Brandon Marshall, a local muralist and graduate of the University of Memphis, who is probably best known for his iconic “I Heart Memphis” mural on Cooper St.
Golightly’s inspiration to undertake such an event came from her passion for graffiti photography.
“I was a graffiti photographer for a long time and I would take pictures of graffiti and public art. During that time, I saw things in other cities that I didn’t see in Memphis. I decided to bring the opportunity to Memphis, and made it so that graffiti writers were given a platform to show their art and have people in Memphis see this as a light in the city,” she said.
Golightly and Marshall fought for three years to make this event possible and finally secured what is now the only city-sanctioned permission wall for public art in Memphis.
Soul Food 5 brought 140 artists from 30 states who left their mark on the wall.
Artists featured in the project were locals like Dusty Jonakin, 31, who’s art can be seen in places like BB King’s Blues Club, Blocker’s Restaurant in Memphis, and Red Rooster in Nashville.
Jonakin explained that he came to the event after Marshall, a friend of his, invited him. As for his inspiration for his piece, it was a satire of the New Yorker and his personal tribute to the original graffiti artists, cavemen.
“I was poking fun at the New Yorker and their political cartoons. It’s supposed to poke fun at the publication as if they would encourage an event like this for graffiti artists. The mural is supposed to say graffiti writers are biting off the style of cavemen, like something the New Yorker would say,” he said.
Besides mural painting, Jonakin has also undertaken some rather unique art endeavors as well. He is also a cremation portrait maker.
“I take people’s ashes and make it into a paint-like substance and paint their portrait with it,” he said.
Another artist featured, Edward V., 29, of Denver, Colorado came after being invited to the event.
“I was invited out by another artist. The organizer of the event reached out to the artists. They’re the ones who decided who was going to come. They were familiar with all the artists and decided who to bring out,” he said.
Another local artist featured at the event was “Felipe,” 23. Although this was not her first time painting with PaintMemphis, Felipe’s opportunity to participate in Soul Food 5 as a solo artist didn’t come as easy for her.
“I assisted an artist on a snapping turtle(mural) last year. This year, I got the position because someone else backed out at the last minute,” she said.
As for her mural inspiration, Felipe explained how it was the children in the community, who came out to spectate and mingle with the artists, that encouraged her abstract mural, painted with black and white paint.
“It’s a collaboration with the kids in the neighborhood. I asked them what they wanted, and it’s an abstract piece. The main impulses were a tiger, feminine energy and a lot of love,” she said.
Felipe’s vision for the project is to see change come for the residents of the North Chicago and North Midtown area with the attention from this mural.
‘I’m hoping to see more resources for art education for the kids that live in the area near here. Also, for better health and wellness for the kids that live in these neighborhoods. These kids are so talented and inspired by this project,” she said.
Edward V. also had similar hopes in mind, considering the lack of expression in the area.
“Well, hopefully it’s a positive thing. It puts in color. At first this was just a drab, grey area, but hopefully it adds new life to the area,” he said.
Although this event has recently passed, the art created that day is here to stay. Golightly encourages locals to head over to the area and see the one-third mile stretch of wall filled with unique art pieces on both sides.
“I hope that this wall will one, change the way people view graffiti and public art and convince them that we can paint in other places and also create a place where people of all races, socio-economic backgrounds and classes can enjoy the art,” she said. “We want it to be another attraction place in the city that people can come and see and take pictures.”
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