SOLVE retrospective photo gallery

EHS Retrospective 8
Originally uploaded by qtouch

Click the photo for a gallery of shots from the East High reception and show of Brendon "SOLVE" Scanlon's artwork, courtesy qtouch.

The kids are all right

This mural, on the back wall of O'Keeffe Middle School on Madison's near east side, was originally painted in 1992 and apparently touched up in 2002 by students with the help of art teachers. It's always been a favorite of mine, living in the 'hood as I do. It's just so cheery!

According to photographer >Elab'rãt>'s description, though, "To understand some of the imagery in the mural, it is important to know that in 1832, during the so-called "Blackhawk War," the Native American leader Blackhawk and his people camped in the Madison area and then crossed the Yahara [River] near where the School is located today while they were being pursued by federal troops. That pursuit ended in far western Wisconsin on the Mississippi River south of La Crosse when the troops caught up with Blackhawk and his people and ruthlessly murdered a large number of them, including children."

The mural is, obviously, a depiction of / wish for better times.

Beautiful paint and ink

This is the current mural on the graffiti wall over at Mother Fool's, and I have to say, it's absolutely stunning. I'm fairly certain I've seen work by this artist around before--it's a distinctive style--and it's all been just as good. I'm always amazed at the different technqiues and levels of detail that some folks can reach with the spray can.