This may be the largest and most visible mural within Oakland city limits. Created for the City of Oakland, it measures 22' H x 125' L. It faces the train tracks and 880 freeway.
The concept was developed by 357 and myself. 357 designed the phoenix. I designed the rest. Our goal here was for the larger shapes to be easily identifiable from the highway, and if people walk up to the wall, then they will see the details in each one. We have incorporated elements from contemporary hip-hop art forms within the body of each creature with the intention of connecting the younger generation with the old myths, culture, and ways.
Here is the traditional meaning behind each creature. Many pardons if we have butchered this.
KIRIN (UNICORN)
It ate fire in its ravenous fury, but it was specially praised for being able to discriminate between good and evil, and that it would gore the wicked whenever it meets them. Appearing only when there was a wise and virtuous ruler, and that it had a discriminating mind that enabled it to know when benevolent rulers or wise sages would appear in the world. It was considered to be able to walk on water, and that it had a perfect goodwill, gentleness, and benevolence to all living creatures. It is so gentle that when it walks it is careful not to tread on the tiniest living creature and will not even eat live grass but only what is dead. The span of this animal's natural life is a thousand years. In Chinese mythology, the Unicorn was an animal of good omen that came to humans only on important missions.
FENGHUANG (PHOENIX)
In Chinese mythology, the phoenix is the symbol of high virtue and grace, of power and prosperity. It represents the union of yin and yang. It was thought to be a gentle creature, alighting so gently that it crushed nothing, and eating only dewdrops. It symbolized the Empress usually in a pairing with a dragon (the dragon representing the Emperor), and only Empress could wear the phoenix symbol. The phoenix represented power sent from the heavens to the Empress. If a phoenix was used to decorate a house it symbolized that loyalty and honesty was in the people that lived there. Jewelry with the phoenix design showed that the wearer was a person of high moral values, and so the phoenix could only be worn by people of great importance.
DRAGON
The Chinese New Year Dragon is the emblem of guardianship and vigilance. The Chinese dragon has long been a potent symbol of auspicious power in folklore and art. The Dragon is a beneficent and gracious creature and is worshipped as the divine ruler of Lakes, Rivers and Seas. It is the powerful yet gentle ‘Loong" that brings rain to the earth, hasten the crops and cools the toiling framer. The Chinese dragon is traditionally also the embodiment of the concept of yang (male) and associated with the weather as the bringer of rain and water in an agriculturally water-driven nation. Its female counterpart is the Fenghuang (phoenix).
The dragon is the largest character I have painted to date. It took Mike Bam and I ten days to paint. It is equal to four normal sized pieces.
TORTOISE
The tortoise represents longevity, of steadfast effort, of deliberate action that inevitably leads to success. The combination of the Dragon and Tortoise combines the qualities of both animals into a potent symbol of success and longevity. Dragon Tortoise symbolizes good fortune and longevity.
Vogue and Erin Yoshi helped pull this tortoise together in 6 days.
David Platford came through and drew all the mountains. Vogue and I painted all the trees, which was the most fun, unrestricted things to paint in the whole project. The background was rolled out by many friends and students from Visual Element.
The two teeth under the tongue are my favorite things I painted in this production. I like the pink glow, the shadows, and the depth.
Here is the original mock up. We stayed pretty faithful to it.
We could not have done it without the help of many friends and supporters. Thank you all!
