BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Albright-Knox museum’s Public Art Initiative is partnering with sixteen artists throughout Western New York to create a mural, each of the artists will paint sections in their own home or studio.
The mural will be displayed after the COVID-19 crisis subsides.
Each artist will have materials provided to them by the museum, and they will document their progress on their personal social media using the hashtags #AKPublicArt and #WorksFromHome.
"We've asked our artists to take into account the conditions that they're experiencing," said Aaron Ott, Curator of Public Art. "For many, it's a time of isolation and anxiety. But for many, it's also a time of hope and opportunity.
Artists participating in Works, From Home include:
- Obsidian Bellis
- Julia Bottoms
- Tricia Butski
- Fotini Galanes
- Jay P Hawkins
- Ashley Johnson
- Jon Mirr,
- MJ Myers
- Sarah Myers
- Karle Norman
- Omniprism
- Chris Piontkowski
- Jennifer Ryan
- Jason Seeley
- Rachel Shelton
- Adam Weekley
The Public Art Initiative has put together small kits containing mural supplies from the museum’s inventory, including precut sections of primed material called Polytab, and high-pigment, UV-resistant acrylic paints.
"It's a five foot by 250 foot length of cloth, we usually cut it into five foot by five foot sections. You can literally prime it and draw on it just like a canvas and then paint acrylic paint on it." said Ott.
Polytab can be adhered to a wall using a clear acrylic gel, creating a resilient mural.
"I think when it comes together it will be a powerful work that reflects this moment in time," said Ott.
The Public Art Initiative has previously used this method in the creation of Betsy Casañas’s mural Patria, Será Porque Quisiera Que Vueles, Que Sigue Siendo Tuyo Mi Vuelo (Homeland, Perhaps It Is Because I Wish to See You Fly, That My Flight Continues to Be Yours), 2017, on Niagara Street and Welcome Wall, 2017, on Fillmore Avenue by Keir Johnston and Ernel Martinez.
The location of the finished work is yet to be determined.
