Library Street by Anthony Purcell

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Perhaps the smallest mural in the area and one of the nicest street markers that we’ve found anywhere. This mural identifies Library Street where Parker Ave intersects with it. It’s across Library Street from the Carnegie Library of course. A beautiful street sign that we wish had been located in a more visible spot. There are two large butterfly bushes on either side of the sign, half concealing it from view at times.

Seascape by Anthony Purcell

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At this time we’re dealing with outdoor murals and some of the other forms of outdoor public art. We know there are tons of murals and artwork inside many of the buildings in the city, but we’re focused on the outdoor art and places we can ride our bikes to. (They sort of frown when you try to bring your bike into the City–County Building.) This mural is a bit of an exception to our rule, but we’re including it because the shopping mall is a very public building. It’s not like trying to see artwork inside a business office or law firm in the city. Plus, the mall is very close to the Montour Trail and to a bike shop, so biking to this mural is still do–able. If we need another reason to include it, call it curator’s preogative. We thought many of our viewers would like this piece.

This is a three panel mural that runs along the entrance hall to the Mall at Robinson at the Sears end of the mall.

Anthony said that the guidance he had for the mural was for it to be family friendly, attractive to kids, colorful and education. It certainly meets all of those requirements. It has some great details:

Ball Don't Lie by Anthony Purcell

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The mayor of Braddock, John Fetterman, is doing everything he can to revitalize his town. This includes an aggressive pursuit of public art. He has implemented programs to attract artists to the area to live and work as well as inviting them to come in and decorate many of the old buildings. One of his programs involves recreating historic Pittsburgh Signs. Other designs he commissions are not necessarily remakes of old signs, but new designs with a traditional look.

The mayor came up with this idea and asked Anthony Purcell to bring it to life. The simple message hanging above the local basketball court comes from an expression in professional basketball. If a player gets free throws for a questionable foul and then misses the shots, the Ball don't lie. The ball itself has judged the foul as bogus and won't go in the net. This phrase is attributed to Rasheed Wallace of the NY Knicks.

There was also a movie titled Ball Don't Lie in 2008 based on a book of the same name. In it a high school student with a lot of problems, traumas and emotional scars leaves that all behind when he's playing ball. On the court his social failings are irrelevant. Perhaps the mayor wants the kids in the neighborhood to remember that playing basketball should be honest fun and that they can leave all the burdens behind when they play? Just a guess.

The mural itself is in line with the mayor's intention for the local art to be free of political or controversial topics/colors/designs.

Trainscape: Community and Industry by Anthony Purcell

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Creating this mural turned out to be educational for this artist. It was a learning experience regarding the public relations aspect of doing a public art piece. He discovered that there was a lot he didn't know. As a Sprout Fund mural, the local community had provided a committee to select and approve the artist and the design. Mr Purcell did a little research and found out that Swissvale had a history of industry revolving around steel and railroads. He designed the mural to show some of that history and when the committee approved his design so he set out to create the mural. The bold, colorful images were meant to be cheerful, positive influences in the neighborhood.

As he began painting, Anthony Purcell soon discovered that the committee did not mirror the local citizens in their opinions. As it turned out, that history of the railroad industry in town had ended on a very bitter note. The railroad pulled out in the early 80's and abandoned the town. Some of the citizens resented that and did not like seeing the train as the focal point in the new mural. There was also some dissension with the colors. The vibrant colors were loved by many, but not all. Some of the nearby businesses weren't happy with that look.

Mr Purcell said that Making good artwork is about making good choices, and the next time he does a mural like that he will be doing more research before he makes his design choices. He decided that he needs to know more than just the historic facts about the area. He said that it's necessary to understand the local perceptions before choosing the subject of the art, and he also realized that he needed to consider who had to literally live with the design. While most would only view it for a minute while driving or walking past, the homes and businesses across from it would see it constantly. He thinks that their preferences should be considered before the final design and colors are settled on.

We thought this mural was terrific and well worth going out to Swissvale to see. We hope it's grown on the people that weren't completely happy at the start, because it certainly does add a beautiful, cheerful spot in the neighborhood. I'd certainly enjoy having one like it in my neighborhood.

Cadaques-2004 by Cheonae Kim, Anthony Purcell

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On her website, Korean born artist Cheonae Kim says that her art deals with form created by horizontal and vertical lines overlaid on a grid system. The lines for me are symbolic of our daily experience, which consists of opposite elements. Horizontal lines signify the passive, vertical lines the active or living. These forms also refer to certain sounds or language. Repetition is an important element in my work. She goes on to explain Another overriding aspect in my work is the maze. In many ways for me the human mind or condition can be very much like a maze. When you go through a passage or open a door, another appears. The painting and the repetition are like the maze. There is ongoing visual repletion, the similarity of the optical effect to sound, the endless winding through mental corridors. In effect, through the simplest of means—a vertical and a horizontal line in endless combinations—I explore my interest in the human condition.

In 2011, local artist Anthony Purcell was hired to create a 20' x 40' mural replicating one of Cheonae Kim's paintings on the side of a building in the M. Berger Industrial Park. The painting was titled Cadaques 2004. Michael Berger happens to be a contemporary art expert and dealer and he wanted to give something back to the community. He chose to do this by adding a work of art to the city that can be seen from both sides of the Monongahela river.

Mr Purcell created the mural using large panels, spread out on the floor inside the huge building. He then had them lifted and attached to the top of the former Republic Steel Building next to the Heritage Trail on the Southside.

The original 20x14 inch painting is shown on the Michael Berger Gallery website.

Welcome to Historic Braddock by Anthony Purcell

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There used to be a metal sign with this image on it hanging on this same building. It was vandalized, removed and replaced with this mural which is about four times the size of the original sign. We ran into Anthony Purcell as he was beginning the mural in early Oct 2012.

Mr Purcell has done several of the new murals in Braddock. He told us that a lot of the murals in Braddock are an effort to revamp historical signs and give them new life. They're historic, pro-business, not political, nostalgic, and they promote a sense of community and pride in local industry. Win-win.
UPDATE
October 2014
We found a copy of this sign on the side of the mayor’s home/future Superior Motors restaurant.

Coordinates for this copy at: 40.397931,-79.860341

Summary:
Artist(s): Anthony Purcell
Address: Braddock Ave across from 8th
City:Braddock
Zip Code:15104

PghMurals@gmail.com
Twitter: @PghMurals

Greetings from Braddock by Anthony Purcell

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Braddock's mayor John Fetterman and his wife Gisele showed Anthony Purcell an old postcard for Braddock and suggested it for a mural. Mr. Purcell liked the idea and made an exact, blown-up replica on the side of the mayor's residence.

The only modification he made was to outline the red letters to make them stand out better. The images within the larger letters are scenes from across the state. The Cathedral of Learning from Pitt's campus is in the second N.

Summary:

Artist(s): Anthony Purcell
Address: Ash St and Maple St
City:Braddock
Zip Code:15104

PghMurals@gmail.com
Twitter: @PghMurals