Philadelphia Murals & Stories They Tell

by Jane Golden, Robin Rice, Monica Yant Kinney (Contributor)

In June, 1984, Jane Golden, a young muralist from Margate, New Jersey, headed up a project that was originally planned as a six-week youth program in the fledgling Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network. This small exercise in fighting graffiti grew into the most vibrant public art project in the United States. Lead by Golden and dozens of artists, neighborhood residents, and volunteers, the Philadelphia Murals Art Program has adorned the city with over two thousand murals. In the process, this vibrant art, painted mostly on city walls, helped to change the look of the city, creating an enduring legacy in all of the neighborhoods in which the murals were added. In this lushly illustrated chronicle of the Mural Arts Program, readers are now able to see the murals in all of their beauty, and how the work of the program leaves its mark on neighborhoods. We read of the often complicated negotiations required to make murals, in neighborhoods where such work is the product not only of doing the work of painting, but also of bringing neighbors together to agree on the art and put larger, historical disagreements aside. And we see, through pictures and text, how, in a city in which people defi

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Coffee Table Books

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2002

Reviews

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

a mural i painted is in this book!

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at thirty murals done under the auspices of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Program and later the Mural Arts Program with Jane Golden being a driving force that managed to work with the various communities of Philadelphia to not only get permission to paint over 2,000 murals on the sides of buildings, concrete highway embankments and spans of wall but enable the communities to come together and thrive.

Originally just a six-week program that was attempting to involve youth and stop the graffiti decorating the city, Golden managed to get several of the taggers to join the mural program along with various artists (several provide stories behind some of their noted pieces), volunteers and the neighborhood residents. This book only focuses on thirty specific pieces - with glorious professional photos included -which recognize respected individuals along with history of the community as well as the hopes and dreams for the future.

It also provides insight into the making of a mural which is not just throwing some paint on a building. It involves negotiations with the building owner. Negotiations with the community itself which means many voices being heard on what they would like to see, with commentary on the artist's design and the diplomacy to make many of them, if not happy, at least content with the projected art. Although it might be a hard choice, I think Common Threads seems to be my personal favorite.

Unfortunately, a couple of those mentioned have been destroyed when the buildings they were attached to were razed. Plans at the time of the book's publishing (2002) were to find a place for at least one - Boy with Raised Arm - to be re-created. The connection between mural and community was just that strong. I hope that the MAP (Mural Art Project) managed to success since it was a lovely piece.

2021-183

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2006 book follows one from 2002. Unfortunately there is no 3rd volume. There should be, because the mural program his exploded since 2006.

Walk anywhere in Philly and you will see a mural. They are striking. The book has a map showing the location of 32 of those pictured. Since 2006 there have been many, many more. The murals can be endearing, clever, provocative, funny or uplifting.

They are the fruit of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Project (MAP) which meets a number of goals. It has been successful in keeping graffiti at bay. It provides worthwhile activity for high risk and other students and young people in correctional programs. One was a project of a rehab group home.

There is evidence that MAP murals have mitigated blight and have raised the spirits of the neighborhoods. The project has broad community support as evidenced by the number of donors cited.

The book has 10 chapters each with a theme. All but one feature a single artist. That artist may be working alone but is usually leading a group of teens or younger to produce one of these outsized works.

Philly had a few murals before MAP. Most of of them were nostalgic rural scenes. These modern murals have people, modern images and and energy. Many take their content from their neighborhoods. Often the people in them are the local residents.Some have social statements like “The Inmate’s Journey” or a Malcolm X portrait with a quote on the value of education. Some are fanciful with stars, bubbles and fairy tale images. A mural of pets raised funds for an animal refuge: winning raffle ticket holders got their pet’s image on the mural.

It appears house paint is the main material. Some have used have cloth and mosaics. Broken tile and Styrofoam have also been used.. Some use computers for planning.

This is a good book for an introduction to these incredible murals. You learn about the artists that led the projects and something about their creative process. I would have liked more on their content such as how and why it was developed.

MAP has been phenomenally successful in enhancing the city. The book is badly in need of an update.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me the backstory on some of my favorite Philly murals.

[Lora-Ellen McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philadelphia tells the history of the city as a whole and of its ethnic enclaves through its murals. So nice to understand these as works of art and not as public nuisances.