Photo courtesy of Tost Films via Mosaic Lowell
Artist: Bryan Beyung
Date Installed: Summer 2022
What do you focus on when you see this mural? A vase whole, fractured, or pieced back together? All three conditions are presented in Bryan Beyung’s “Healing,” and not simply for aesthetics.
“Exposing the flaws, the scars, the imperfect,” Bryan Beyung states on Beyond Wall’s website, “and making them part of the story.” Painted on an approximately 73’ x 35’ space on the wall of Eliot Church, the mural speaks of the hope that the Eliot Day Center brings to the unhoused population. The Eliot Day Center provides temporary refuge during the day to those who need a safe place.
Beyung draws inspiration from Kintsugi, which is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold. Kintsugi artists aim to utilize the broken features as part of the art rather than hiding the blemishes and history of the object.
“Healing” was organized as part of Beyond Walls and ArtUp Lowell’s installation project during the summer of 2022.
Location: Eliot Church, 273 Summer Street