Sunday, December 6, 2015

Monday Mural: Roots Run Deep

This mural by David 'MEGGS' Hooke went up in June near Jack London Square.  Here's a link to a short video about its creation.  It's a huge mural, hence the two photos.  (I have no idea how to stitch photos together).  It seems to me that the two parts don't really hang together as a narrative but the fierce emotion of the piece cannot be denied.  Makes me wonder if he also illustrates graphic novels.

Welcome to Monday Mural: if you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters. Looking forward your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.

"Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson
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18 comments:

  1. TomDecember 6, 2015 at 7:27 PM

    How cool is this!

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  2. D.NambiarDecember 6, 2015 at 8:40 PM

    Awesome work. Love the eyes in both parts of the mural.
    I can see why you wonder if the artist does artwork for graphic novels as well.

    Great find. :)

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  3. HalcyonDecember 6, 2015 at 10:36 PM

    Glad you got some people in the shots, they give an idea of the scale. I don't understand the theme either, but these are nice works. The artist is obv a talented painter.

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  4. Billy Blue EyesDecember 6, 2015 at 11:53 PM

    Back to the Museum today, Love the roots mural

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  5. Gerald (SK14)December 7, 2015 at 12:52 AM

    looks a little bit forbidding to me

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  6. AndyDecember 7, 2015 at 1:00 AM

    That is one extremely large awesome mural. In order to stitch photos you will need some expensive software and a good tripod to take the photos. Just add them to your Christmas list. (° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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  7. d:D´December 7, 2015 at 1:56 AM

    Fantásticas
    Un gran pintura
    y artista.
    Saludos d:)´

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    Replies
    1. d:D´December 8, 2015 at 5:31 AM

      Amigo de Oakland, cuánto más veo esos murales más alucinante me parece; pero, también, mucho más embellecida me resulta tu ciudad. Ciudad que, por otro lado, con ellos, no sólo se añade color, si no que se enternece y humanizan las calles, paredes y población en particular al verse reflejada en la singularidad de la cantidad de artistas que la pueblan.
      Se dice en antropología cultural y artística que de cuantas más actividades lúdicas goza un población -amparada por sus poderes públicos para con el arte- más felices deberían resultar sus paseos.
      No sólo vives en un buen lugar si no que se asemeja a aquellos otros que repartidos por el mundo pretenden entre sí emularse. Un mundo globalizado, en ciertos aspectos, puede resultar aún más beneficioso. ¿Es el arte un vehículo para ello? Posiblemente son una de las representaciones humanas que más suavizan las más amargas situaciones actuales, pasadas y futuras.
      Pura evolución si llegamos a desprendernos de todos los prejuicios primitivos que nos atan a lo inexistente e innecesario; tal vez la respuesta está en nosotros mismos y en las aguas de los océanos. Profundidad marinas compleja que se asemeja a los bosques que en la oscuridad contienen esos murales ahí dibujados.
      Fantásticos son poco, excelentes y motivadores para los más jóvenes que se dulcifican en el arte callejero.
      Longos saúdos...en mi lengua galaica e interamicus d:))´
      [No lo traduzco, lo siento, no sabría bien cómo hacerlo]

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  8. Chrissy BrandDecember 7, 2015 at 2:22 AM

    Wow - these really stop you in your tracks and make you ask what it's all about.

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  9. biebkriebelsDecember 7, 2015 at 2:37 AM

    A very nice one, so big!

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  10. EG CameraGirlDecember 7, 2015 at 4:57 AM

    i agree that this mural is packed with emotion!

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  11. PerthDailyPhotoDecember 7, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    Fascinating to watch how they create these huge murals ODP, thanks for the link.

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  12. William KendallDecember 7, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Eye catching, ODP!

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  13. LindaDecember 7, 2015 at 10:10 PM

    Neat mural but a little scary.

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  14. Mr. Espresso 510-287-5200July 20, 2016 at 5:22 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. Mr. Espresso 510-287-5200July 20, 2016 at 5:25 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. Mr. Espresso 510-287-5200July 20, 2016 at 5:25 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. Mr. Espresso 510-287-5200July 21, 2016 at 11:24 AM

    We are the proud owners of Meggs' "Roots Run Deep" mural. We recently saw your questions regarding the muralist and the symbolism behind the mural.

    We thought it best to share this from Meggs' website houseofmeggs.com:

    "David 'MEGGS' Hooke is one of Australia’s most progressive and committed street and fine artists. MEGGS is recognized for his unique, expressive, and energetic style with references to pop-culture, the natural world, and socio-cultural issues."

    Our mural demonstrates Meggs' commitment to public murals reflecting the community where the art will live. He researched Oakland and the Jack London Square District. Again, his website provides answers to your questions regarding his vision:

    "The mural, titled ‘Roots Run Deep,’ features a split image of a woman and a wolf and is located in Oakland, CA. The wolf references Jack London literature, a nod to the surrounding area where the wall is located. Overall, the piece is meant to remind everyone of the inspiring past, present, and future faces of Oakland. It celebrates that a city, with a balance of hardship and civic pride, is now opening up to a new world of opportunity and creative culture in the area. This mural is a prime example of the bubbling, innovative energy that is consuming Oakland. This wall was provided by Mr. Espresso (@oakwoodroasted) and is located on the outside of their Oakland warehouse at 696 3rd St. on the corner of 3rd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. St. The wall was made possible by Athen B. Gallery (@athenbgallery), who arranged for Meggs to paint it as part of House Warming, the grand opening of their gallery, located at 1525 Webster St. in Oakland."

    Thanks for your interest! Be sure to check out HouseofMeggs.com or his social media handle @houseofmeggs on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We are very proud to be a part of this beautiful addition to our community.

    Your friends at Mr. Espresso
    www.mrespresso.com * Mr Espresso on FaceBook * @oakwoodroasted on Instagram and Twitter

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