Orgosolo murals - 1

A friend of mine recently traveled to the Italian island of Sardinia. She came back with some mural photos from  the village of Orgosolo. Many thanks, T.,  for allowing me to post some of them here!

First, a little bit about the Orgosolo and its murals:

Orgosolo's mural emerged in the late 60's. It was during the time when Italy’s “economy miracle” collapsed by massive strikes and social unrest. Especially, the later 1973 oil crisis abruptly terminated this economy boom. Thus, murals became a major expression of the social discontent.

The first mural in Orgosolo was carried out in 1969 by Dionisio, an anarchist theater company in Milan. She questioned: "What is the role of the island in the Italian government's policy?”

After the idea of mural spread into this small village, a local teacher, Francesco Del Casino, played an important role. The early works were carried out by his students. Later on, more experienced workers took the job, making the murals more elaborate both in the style and in the content.

Francesco Del Casino will be the instigator of most paintings of the village of Orgosolo. One of his major motivations was to get students involved in politics. Therefore, murals were featured by the oppression of Nazism, struggling for liberation, unemployment ratio and education problem. Even though many kinds of topics were introduced, political events are still the major topics of the mural. - From the Wikipedia article "Orgosolo Mural in Sardinia" (paragraphing added).

"Enjoy Orgo-Solo" - Photo © 2012 by T. Fisher (Used with permission)

Photo © 2012 by T. Fisher (Used with permission)

See more Orgosolo murals in this photo essay.


More Orgosolo murals next Monday.

Temple of the modern girl

Eye-catching geisha decorates the wall of the Temple of the Modern Girl Boutique in Vancouver.


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Waves and whales

This coloring-book-style mural once decorated the side of one of the utility / washroom buildings along the White Rock promenade. The last time I was by, the mural had disappeared, however.



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Doorway whimsy

This mural adorns an entrance way with a light touch. I'm not positive about the location, but I think it's White Rock, B.C.


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Playtime at the mall

I love the soft colors and the picture book feel of this mural that decorates the children's play area in one of our local shopping malls.


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Branching out

 This tree mural, painted on the side of a shop in Ocean Park (South Surrey) is only visible at an angle because of the nearness of the building beside it.

 The grapevine detailing is a nice touch.


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Sandcastle fantasy

This mural depicting sandcastles by Elizabeth Hollick was painted on a wall facing Marine Drive in White Rock B.C. It recalls the glory days of the White Rock Sandcastle Festival.

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Nothing without effort

This inspirational mural is painted on the south-facing wall of Langley Secondary School in Langley, B.C.


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The Resurrection Mural

The Resurrection Mural by Ron DiCianni at 12 feet high x 40 feet wide is the largest mural depicting the resurrection of Christ. This March 2010 press release describes the work:

"Commissioned to be the signature piece of a newly opened museum in Dallas, TX, internationally acclaimed Artist Ron DiCianni describes the work to be his Magnum Opus, capping a half century long career. Standing at 40 feet long by 12 feet high, this oil on canvas mural represents the largest known contemporary depiction of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The mural, entitled Resurrection, has many distinct features and includes a twist on the typical portrayal of Christ’s resurrection by showing several past “Heroes of the Faith” in attendance, including John the Baptist, Moses, Abraham and Isaiah.    Modeling for these characters were some of the other top artists in America, including Morgan Weistling & Thomas Blackshear..." (Read more....pdf)

Go to this page to view a video of the artist talking about the process and the characters in his mural.

The mural has its own web page, if you're interested in exploring more, perhaps even buying a poster or print.



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Prairie Sunset

I snapped this mural on a downtown street in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a couple of summers ago. The artist has done a good job of  turning a solid wall into a scene with depth and perspective.  (Sorry, I don't know the exact location or the artist's name).


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Polo Match

"Sunday Afternoon at the Polo Match" by Stan Phelps, 1991 (Photo © 2007 by Ramona Heikel)

This is another mural in the High River Albert mural series. Below is the story of the mural as told in the Historic Murals Walking Tour brochure:

And that completes our abbreviated tour of the historic murals of High River. Thanks to Ramona Heikel for sending me the photos. And what fabulous murals they are! I have put a visit to High River on my bucket list so that I can view them for myself.

"Chuckwagon Races"

"Chuckwagon Races" by Paul Van Ginkel, 1993 - 1 (Photo © 2007 by Ramona Heikel)

"Chuckwagon Races" by Paul Van Ginkel, 1993 - 2 (Photo © 2007 by Ramona Heikel)

The first view of this mural gives us a feeling of its size.

When I look at the second, I have the urge to get out of the way of those galloping horses—a feeling achieved, I think, by the artist's perspective.

This is another mural in the High River Albert mural series. Below is the story of the mural as told in the Historic Murals Walking Tour brochure:

Cattle Drive

"Cattle Drive at the 'D' Ranch on Pekisko Creek" by Jack Rigaux, 1990
Photo © 2007 by Ramona Heikel

And a closer view.

This is another mural in the High River, Alberta mural series. Below is the story of the mural as told in the Historic Murals Walking Tour brochure:

"Fort Spitzee"

A friend sent some photos of the historic murals in High River, Alberta. I'll be posting those in the next few weeks.

"Fort Spitzee" painted by Terry Winter, 1992 (photo © 2007 by Ramona Heikel)

Today's photo is a High River street scene with just a teaser of a mural ("Fort Spitzee" by Terry Winter, 1992).  Wouldn't you just love to walk between the buildings and see the whole thing?

Notice the Hudson Bay coat worn by the person in the painting. Hudson Bay blankets (white with characteristic green, red, yellow and blue stripes) were one of the items the Indians got in trade for beaver pelts.

A brochure on the High River web site gives walking tour directions to view all the town's murals and tells the story of each one. Below is the story of the Fort Spitzee mural from that brochure. 

Start up the band!

It's been almost a year since I updated this blog! In that time I've collected a few more mural shots and even had some sent to me. So here goes for fresh start.

I'm beginning with a mural that's close to home. You'll find this lively musical scene in downtown Langley. It's painted on the back of McBurney's Coffee and Tea House, facing the plaza that joins Douglas Crescent with Fraser Highway. (It replaces the faded old buggy, that was starting to show its age.)

This stylized mural on the Nelson Credit Union, Nelson, B.C.,  highlights some of the town's  attractions and industries, including the mining, the arts (pottery), mountains, and an all-round great natural setting (note the ducks in the blue ornithologist's specs).

Welcome to Christina Lake

This mural welcomes visitors to the B.C. town, Christina Lake, in the Kootenay region of the province.

Ancient whales

I don't know the age of this Victoria, B.C. mural, featuring killer whales --  but it's not new!

Comfort food

Mural on the Burgoo Bistro - Main Street (Vancouver) location

Valentine-like

From coy to coquette with, along the way, a little desperation, these four murals from Vernon B.C. have that Valentine quality.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!