Behind the Mural: Ornamental Swan
Returning to Galicia to paint a large-scale mural always feels special. Although my work takes me to cities around the world, creating a piece back home offers a different kind of connection. My new project, "Ornamental Swan", was created in Fene (A Coruña) as part of the Perla Mural Fest. Over the course of an intense, seven-day week, I had the pleasure of bringing this large-scale mural to life while immersing myself in the incredible atmosphere of Fene.
The Concept
The festival pays tribute to Cine Perla, a historic venue that played an important role in Fene's cultural and social life for decades. With music at the heart of the festival, I wanted to create a mural that connected directly with this theme.
The swan quickly became the natural protagonist. Inspired by Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, one of the most recognizable works in classical music, the animal allowed me to explore ideas of movement, elegance, rhythm, and emotion through a visual language.
Using my Ornamental Style, I combined the swan's natural forms with flowing patterns and ornamental details. The composition was designed to create a sense of movement, almost as if the lines and shapes were following an invisible melody.
The Palette
For this project, I intentionally departed from quieter tones and opted for a vibrant, highly colorful palette. Music is energy, celebration, and emotion. I wanted this piece to evoke pure happiness, bring light to the neighborhood, and command immediate visual attention from a distance. The intense colors contrast against the urban backdrop, transforming the wall into a focal point that breathes new life into the streetscape.
The Unseen Stories
Creating a large-scale mural in seven days is always a demanding process, both physically and technically. But working in Galicia brought an added sense of connection to the project.
During the week in Fene, I had the opportunity to experience the warmth of the local community, meet people passing by the mural, and share time with the organizers and other international artists taking part in the festival.
These encounters are an important part of painting murals. The finished artwork is what remains on the wall, but the conversations, shared experiences, and connections created during the process become part of the story behind it.
