Andrew Lewis Murals
Murals for me are public artworks, that reside within a community and need to resonate with the people that see them daily or come upon them from a visiting city. Either way, there needs to be an element of surprise, or perhaps intrigue that holds your attention then and into the future. I also want my murals to have a wide demographic appeal, from young children to seniors. That is a challenge but one that reflects good design and simply long lasting ideas. I also rarely use obvious imagery but rather more subtle and complex images that draw you into over time.
“Heroes” Mural, St Thomas Canada
The City of St Thomas and Railway City Tourism commissioned me to paint a massive 185 ft wall in downtown St Thomas. The site backed onto the Veterans War Memorial and lead the design to become a tribute to past and present serving veterans. Additionally, it also stood for the front line workers and emergency services that carried the weight while our country endured the Covid pandemic.
I entitled the mural “Heroes” which is a simple field of poppies that also represents our society standing tall in trying times with obvious reference to “Flanders Fields” poem.
Locomotive Espresso Mural, London Canada
A cool, local coffee shop asked me to create an image for their new location in Old South London. The wall is on a side street off a busy thoroughfare and I knew the design needed to grab your attention from this busy street and traffic hence the palette selection. I knew it would also be a backdrop for their summer patio, so again, no definitive obvious images but rather a cool atmosphere vibe with this contemporary pattern.
Libro Credit Union, London Canada
This design for Libro Credit Union I could safely say would be a huge graphic departure for this established Ontario business. The location plays a key role in determining the final atmosphere of the design as well. Located in the heart of Richmond Row in downtown London, it also faces Vistoria Park which hosts many festivals, gatherings, holiday lights and ice skating in the winter months. The work needed to exude this energy and reflect the energy of this key location in the city and again, appeal to a very wide demographic. It is an illustration of positive karma!
Horton Farmers Market, St Thomas Canada
St Thomas is in the heart of South Western Ontario farmland that grows an incredible diverse selection of produce. It also employs thousands on migrant workers bringing in wonderful and colourful cultures hence the artwork referencing Latin and Caribbean nuances. The work speaks also of inclusivity, diversity and our community celebrating each other. Its a street party!
City of Simcoe, Simcoe Canada
Similar to the Horton Farmers Market project, the small town of Simcoe is host to thousands of migrant farm workers from the Caribbean and Latin America. In the summer months there are events in the city that literally will attract 4000 migrant workers to enjoy music, food and cultural exchange. The mural conveys the energy of this social gathering and becomes a backdrop for performances.
