New murals adding pops of colour to downtown Sudbury
CBC
More colourful murals are popping up around downtown Sudbury, as part of this year's Up Here festival.
Five new murals are being painted on buildings across the downtown area, by artists commissioned from across the country and the world.
One of this year's murals is being painted by JUURI, a Japanese-American artist from Oklahoma City.
JUURI is painting a historical Japanese firefighter girl on the side of Pho Noodle House at 81 Larch Street.
"This one is a female 1600's firefighter. They had a very distinctive look with full-sleeve tattoos," explained JUURI.
"I know there's a bit of problems with fires and things lately, so I thought she was like a good inspiration or guardian to put here."
JUURI said she has also added lotus flowers to the mural as a symbol of Vietnam, to represent the Pho Noodle House restaurant location.
She said she applied to be part of the Up Here festival and was chosen from 600 applicants.
JUURI said this is her first visit to Canada and she hoped her art would inspire people who see it.
"I really just hope whenever people see my art that it's just kind of a calming presence. The colours are very soothing and very cheerful, so perhaps if they're having a bad day or something, maybe they'll feel happier."
Another mural for this year's festival is being painted at 57 Lisgar Street by Adeyemi Adegbesan.
The Toronto-based artist goes by the professional name "Yung Yemi" on Instagram, and he is painting a black and white mural for this year's festival.
"The subject is going to be a woman with braids and she's adorned in different symbols that represent Afro-Caribbean heritage, but also a few things that are mixed in that kind of represent the natural environment and the landscape here in Sudbury," said Adegbesan.
He added the festival approached him to paint a mural and he was impressed by the diversity of voices and perspectives that are being represented at the festival.