Buford Highway Mural | Living Walls ATL
It’s taken me so long to figure out what to say about this mural. I didn’t think I would get emotional about finishing this piece, but I’m overwhelmed with so much positivity and gratitude and just taking it all in. Being able to see my vision come to life and be so meaningful to different people in the community makes me so happy. Hearing kids, visitors, local business owners, and passers-by come to point out food they grew up eating and telling me they feel seen and represented in my artwork is why I love doing what I do.
Not only was this the first mural in the city of Doraville (the city just passed legislature to allow for public art), but it was also my first full color mural and large scale artwork. It was my first time using a scissor lift and industrial spray gun, and it pushed me to get over my slight fear of public speaking by having to speak to lots of press. My favortie part of all of this is hearing everyone’s stories from the community and how this wall makes them feel and what this area means to them. It’s been such a wholesome experience meeting local business owners like @pnricecakes who brought us treats everyday and families that consecutively came to watch us paint, or make dance tiktoks.
@livingwallsatl yooo, I can’t even express how thankful I am for you guys. I’m so inspired and motivated by what you guys do and I hella love what you guys are all about, you bring so much joy and meaningful art to the city and uplift artists. Thank you so much, I’ve admired all the Living Walls murals I’ve seen around the city since I moved here so seeing the women behind it all and working with you guys really was full circle for me to be able to work with such dope people I admire. Ya’ll all good peoples in my book. Thank you for mentoring me like my mural yodas @ash @kristen @tati @monica
I made some new meaningful friendships along the way. I just recently met Arah through my ABC’s of AAPI coloring book project and brought her along as my artist assistant for this project and she not only painted like a champ, but she made sure I was fed, was my interview support / hypeman, taught me a lot more about the history of this area and the migrant journeys attached to this area, and doubled as my korean translator. I gotta take a quote from her “This mural is more than just a mural. It embodies so many emotions as it shows the culture of how we bond as a community, shows how our culture portrays love and care, and shows that we are more than just our trauma. I hope people are able to see this mural and check in with themselves and their loved ones by saying “did you eat yet?”
If you want to hear about my inspiration for this mural and what it means to me, 285South really said it best. Go check it out here: https://285south.bulletin.com/it-s-not-just-about-food-it... , it’s so beautifully written.
Now if you’re ever in the area go checkout the mural in Pinetree Plaza on the side of the Supermercado Chicago
