Downtown Vancouver is about to get even more vibrant with the unveiling of the “People of Downtown” mural by local artist Chairman Ting. Located at the intersection of Seymour & W Hastings, this mural pays tribute to a diverse array of icons who have shaped the city’s culture and community. From celebrities like Ryan Reynolds and Nardwuar to local legends like Canuck the Crow and Joe Fortes, the mural celebrates Vancouver’s spirit. In this exclusive Q&A, Chairman Ting shares insights on his creative process, inspiration, and the powerful connection between art and community. —Noa Nichol
The “People of Downtown” mural celebrates a diverse range of figures who have shaped Vancouver’s identity. How did you choose which individuals to feature, and what was the creative process behind selecting them?
I was given a list of notable Vancouverites and from this list I distilled it down to 18 people. It was a mixed selection from myself and the team at Downtown Van. My choices were based on my personal relationship to the people I chose such as Nardwuar being someone who I grew up with watching Much Music.
Your mural beautifully captures the energy and vibrancy of downtown Vancouver. What specific artistic techniques or styles did you use to convey the dynamic nature of these iconic figures?
My art style is often described as fun, whimsical, and vibrant. For this particular mural, my approach was based on a recent giant panoramic mural I did for the former Nordstrom building which can be described as a cartoon.
This is your second collaboration with Downtown Van, following the success of “Good Morning, Vancouver.” How did your experience with the previous project influence the creative direction of this mural?
Although the “People of Downtown” is based on “Good Morning, Vancouver”, they are executed completely different. People of Downtown was done all by hand with spray paint while “Good Morning, Vancouver” was built digitally after it was hand drawn on paper. The colour palette between the two is the same because I wanted it to be tied together from an art direction standpoint.
In your artist statement, you mention exploring the human experience through motion, time, and space. How does this philosophy play into the design of the “People of Downtown” mural?
I consider myself quite spiritual and I often plunge into deep philosophical thinking about life and our existence. So I wanted to capture this moment in time, the human spirit as we experience life through feelings that were evoked from all the visuals in my mural whether its through the characters, colours, shapes and forms.
The mural features both local and internationally renowned personalities. How do you think this blend of local icons and global celebrities contributes to the overall impact of the mural?
Having a broad and diverse spectrum of personalities helps extend further reach to a wider audience. As an artist that strives to always embrace inclusivity, this mural project allowed me to do so.
As an artist, how do you approach public art installations like this mural compared to gallery work? What unique challenges and opportunities does creating a large-scale mural in a bustling urban setting offer?
Public art installations such as this mural always pose challenges than gallery work. We’re at the mercy of the weather, dealing with people with mental illness and drug addicts are also challenges around the area where we working. We were not able to find a safe place to store our paint supplies so we had to unload and pack our gear every single day which was a bit more time consuming. But having said all that, there’s really nothing like the feeling of painting outdoors. It’s the best feeling.
What message or feeling do you hope viewers will take away when they see the “People of Downtown” mural for the first time?
All I want is to put a smile on people’s faces when they see the mural for the first time. A feeling of positivity and belonging is all I want.
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