Untitled Mural

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

This untitled mural was created by JP Owens in 2019, with help from his wife, Melinda Owens. Owens graduated with a degree in printmaking from West Virginia State University, but worked as a bank manager for many years. It was not until 2006 that he began creating and selling art in earnest. The enormous paint on block mural was made possible through partnerships with the Office of Public Art, South Hills Neighborhood Association, and City National Bank. This mural combines colorful imagery reminiscent of East Village Artists, like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, in a celebration of Charleston's culture. Owens transformed a thirty inch sketch to over ten times its original size for the mural. The piece took well over three months to complete.

Images

Untitled Mural.

Sources

Owens Art, Art Emporium. Accessed January 21st 2021. https://www.artemporium.net/owens.

Pierson, Jeff. Eye of the Beholder: Year in review of Charleston's public art in 2019, Charleston Gazette-Mail. January 3rd 2020. Accessed January 21st 2021. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/life/eye-of-the-beholder-year-in-review-of-charlestons-public-art-in-2019/article_bc328c6b-0191-5a60-bbb4-1f338d4c8127.html.

Soto, Cynthia. Local bank manager pursues his passion of art, The Herald-Dispatch. November 17th 2008. Accessed January 21st 2021. https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/putnam_news/local-bank-manager-pursues-his-passion-of-art/article_fa06fdd4-08a3-5412-8e23-359697429d0b.html.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Office of Public Art, Charleston WV. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://gisweb.cityofcharleston.org/storymaps/arttour/#.

Additional Information

JP Owens' website