This artist collective was conceived by Rust Magic, an art agency from Canada specializing in large-scale graffiti and street art murals. This special project, designed for the inaugural year of the Edmonton Mural Festival, was the festival's largest wall - featuring the headlining artists; Curly Whitebear, Annaliza Toledo and Hardthirteen.
Arriving on a style that could be best described as ‘Indigenous futurism’ we wanted to use our power as artists to imagine a new future, one full of respect and reverence for people we love. In this cross-cultural exchange, we have depicted an Indigenous woman of mixed heritage, representing a future full of possibility.
For the artist Curly this piece is an opportunity to explore his own Cree heritage, in collaboration with partner Annaliza Toledo of Filipino heritage and Hardthirteen, a master at spray-painted portraiture, who came from Indonesia to collaborate on this vision.
"The Hero" mural serves as a powerful platform, shedding light on the challenges faced by marginalized communities. Our intention in creating this mural in collaboration with Indonesian artist Hardthirteen, was to cultivate an environment that fosters dialogue, understanding, and advocacy.
We extend our thanks to Edmonton Mural Festival for entrusting us with the responsibility of amplifying the voices of the marginalized and addressing the societal issues that affect our communities.
We firmly believe that "The Hero" mural serves as a catalyst for meaningful conversations and inspires positive action within our society." - Annaliza Toledo and Curly Whitebear, RUST MAGIC.
Rust Magic started as a festival and has been actively working on these large-scale murals primarily in Edmonton since 2016. Rust Magic is responsible for over 100 murals throughout the city having worked with international talent and local artisans for their projects. These public works of art have created a mural movement that has been celebrated by the community and has been the source of inspiration for others to build upon. They have changed the landscape of Edmonton and by doing so, have also changed the narrative surrounding street art and graffiti in their city. Among the more notable artists the agency has worked with are: Okuda San Miguel (Spain), OG Slick (USA) and Pichiavo (Spain).
In 2021, Rust Magic founders Curly Whitebear and Annaliza Toledo relocated to Indonesia where they met Hardthirteen at the infamous international graffiti festival Meeting of Styles. As the Rust Magic Agency resides in both Canada and Indonesia, it was important to honour both countries with an impactful piece of art that would have a clear message and resonate not only on a local level but on a national and global one as well. As things began to align for this project, it was a natural and easy decision to choose Hardthirteen as the international artist who would collaborate with Rust Magic and represent Indonesia to tell a Canadian story.
The initial concept Hardthirteen presented to the agency was a strong and beautiful portrait of a woman. This regal portrait was crafted using his wife as a model; a practice in which he utilizes throughout much of his portrait work. Imagining the futuristic armour or regalia the woman wears, the artist was inspired by traditional garments worn during weddings by the Indigenous people of western Java known as the Sundanese. Knowing that the mural would live in Canada, the artist then customized the portrait to have mixed Indigenous features that would be more relevant to the message in which the mural was trying to convey. Given the connotation of celebration and wedding, it could be said that this collaboration could also be perceived as a marriage of styles with multiple heritages colliding together with the best of intentions. On the right side of the mural is a bird native to Indonesia called Cendrawasih also known as the Bird of Paradise. This bird is significant to the artwork as its intention is to highlight the unparalleled beauty and vibrancy of all Indigenous cultures. This incredible 75 ft. spray-painted portrait by Hardthirteen is his largest mural to date.
Graffiti artists Curly Whitebear and Annaliza Toledo partnered up to execute the large graffiti lettering structure which borders the central figure of The Hero. Traditionally graffiti lettering is about distribution where letters are strategically interwoven together while pushing energy out, protecting the soul of the piece. Using this concept, the function of the golden graffiti piece becomes one of protection, creating a force field around The Hero, thus developing a barrier from negative energy. It was here, where by using their street names ‘Curls’ and ‘Venz’ , the two were able pay homage to their life journey’s in graffiti culture but simultaneously lend compositional support for the entire work of art. All three artists came together to complete the backgrounds and the final layer of decorative details involved within the mural.
The feather fan which is being held by The Hero is a powerful and sacred symbol of Indigenous spirituality. It is used in the mural to transmit healing energy. In this way, it is envisioned that the feather fan be used to direct the flow of energy so that it radiates outwards and upwards, much like the wings of the bird.
The mural was completed in less than 2 weeks with a completion date of September 5th, 2023, with the goal to draw awareness to the missing and murdered people of the Canadian Indigenous community and all other affected Indigenous communities around the world. It also can be said this mural and theme runs parallel with the immediacy of Truth and Reconciliation; advocating for a new generation of realization and care.
The Hero by Hardthirteen, Curly Whitebear and Annaliza Toledo
Spray paint and Acrylic on concrete wall
37m x 19.6m
Story and quotes provided by RUST MAGIC
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