Community Murals, a Community Interest Company founded by Andrew Bolton, with over 30 years of experience in art projects aimed at uniting communities, announces a new and ambitious project that fosters international connections and celebrates the power of art in public spaces.
The project centres around the creation of four distinctive and impactful murals in public spaces, with two located in the UK and two in Indonesia. It brings together renowned disabled mural artists Andrew Bolton, Butong Idar, and Nano Warsono, strengthening existing connections and promoting collaboration between disability arts organisations in both nations.
The opening ceremony for the latest work was held this evening (Friday 3rd November) at Craft in the Bay in Cardiff. The murals draw inspiration from both Welsh and Indonesian textile patterns and colours, resulting in a visual tapestry that represents unity, diversity, and shared creativity.
We were there to see them and meet the team behind the project……
The murals serve as a symbol of international collaboration, emphasising the significance of disability arts and culture. They aim to promote understanding and solidarity between different communities.
Inspired by the rich tapestry of Wales and Indonesia’s textile patterns and vibrant colours, our community mural project stands as a testament to the power of unity and creativity. At its heart, this endeavour is a celebration of community involvement and collaboration. It’s about bringing together individuals of all ages and backgrounds, both from within the disability community and beyond, to create something truly remarkable. Disabled artists have poured their hearts into the design, infusing it with their unique perspectives and inspiring messages with special participation of volunteers from the Indonesian community in Wales. This project is a testament to the strength of collaboration and the beauty that can emerge when diverse communities come together to create art that inspires and uplifts us all.
The project will also produce three short films, approximately five minutes each, showcasing the artistic process, the cultural exchange, and the impact of these murals in both the UK and Indonesia.
While the murals may not be complete, they already speak volumes. The project’s opening ceremony at Craft in The Bay, Cardiff, was attended by notable figures, including the Chairman of DAC, Welsh 1 Arts representatives, Unlimited representatives, Jogja Disability Arts artists, and members of the Indonesian Society in Wales.
These murals are not just artistic expressions but lasting legacies that will engage communities on both sides. They will encourage public dialogue, understanding, and appreciation of disability culture.
Andrew Bolton, Founder of Community Murals told us……
“This project is the culmination of a three year online relationship. Community Murals CIC has collaborated with Jogja Disability Arts on a series of successful and meaningful projects, but we have never physically met until now. That matters to me on a personal level, but more important, professionally, is building relationships between disabled artists around the world and raising the profile of disability art.”
To find out more about the work and projects of COMMUNITY MURALS, go HERE.
