Tell Edmonton about who you are and what you created?
My name is Phil Alain and I am the producer of Native Artists and Mural Mosaic. I have been part of Mural Mosaic since 2003 working closely with Lewis Lavoie and Paul Lavoie creating murals uniting people all around the world.
Tell us how you got involved in the creative project of the mosiac mural?
In 2003 I was doing night of artists shows across Canada, and Lewis was doing his own artwork which included Mural Mosaic’s that he did by himself. He had done a mural of Michelangelo’s David made up of a few hundred paintings he had done by himself. I asked him if he could create a mural where all the artists in night of Artist could paint the tiles- And would it even be possible? And that is when it all began.
Tell us why?
Since 2003 we have done murals all around North America .Over 200 murals To be exact. This most recent mural project was to unite professional artist into one beautiful mural of a tree… The Tree of Life.
Tell us about why you decided to involve the community and artists? Why did you choose to create two murals, one by the community and one by the artists?
The two mural’s are very significant murals. The community one was to celebrate the school and specifically the Grey Nuns or Sisters of Charity. The second mural, the Tree of Life, deals with creation and the beauty of nature.
How long did it take? Where is it located in the city?
Both murals took approximately seven months to create from start to finish. They will both be permanently installed in the Sister Alphonse academy.
What was your favorite part of the whole project?
Our favourite part of the project is always the diversity and beauty that comes out of each artist creative mind. Every time a new painting arrives it is exciting for us to see how it will fit into the big picture.
How was the unveiling of the murals to you?
The mural and unveiling’s are always wonderful. To witness the community coming together as one to celebrate an art piece is heartwarming.
What is your next project and where would you like to see your Mosiac Mural idea go next?
We are constantly being asked to create murals. One of our next big projects will be to create a mural for the new Stollery Children’s Hospital in Saint Albert.
Artist Feature: Phil Alain. An interview with Mariam Qureshi