Patterns and Printmaking: Personifying Nature

Patterns and Printmaking: Personifying Nature is a series of three billboards co-designed by visiting artist Becky McIntyre and Philadelphia Youth Network students enrolled in Mural Arts’ summer program at Freire Charter School. Over a series of classroom visits, McIntyre worked with students to create linocut and alcohol ink designs inspired by the theme Fairytales and Folklore, with an emphasis on creatures and motifs found in the natural world. Students explored ideas around how personifying nature has been expressed through different cultures, as well as how fairytales have been used historically to deliver messages, share life lessons, break social norms, and reflect on patterns of human behavior. The class selected three phrases that resonated most with them: “Life is filled with different hues,” “Conflict is bound to happen. It’s not always bad,” and “Be healthy, Breathe healthy.” These phrases were layered over three backgrounds created from combinations of students’ ink drawings and linocuts. The billboards were displayed temporarily at the intersection of 5th and Spring Garden Streets.

Location Note: Billboards no longer on view at this location (temporary project).