Stamp of approval: Dame Flora mural takes shape on GPO
A massive pop art-style mural designed to honour the island’s first Olympic gold medal-winner is close to the finish line.
Artists Kendra L. Earls and Shanna Hollis said they expected the 12-by-30ft painting on the General Post Office in Hamilton to honour triathlon hero Dame Flora Duffy to be finished by Sunday.
Ms Earls said the pair had been working hard on the mural since early February when the ministry selected theirs out of 11 artist submissions.
She added: “It is a huge piece. We have both been working very hard on it. It is the biggest single piece of art in Hamilton.
“We have been working on scaffolding, so it has been a big challenge working out the logistics.”
Ms Earls said: “We have taken a lot of pride in creating it. What Flora Duffy accomplished in winning the Olympic gold medal was absolutely amazing and having two women create this mural in a way that has not been done before here is also great.
“We have been saying this mural is all about girl power and it sets a good example for young girls.”
The mural, Unfolding Flora Duffy, features vibrant colours and geometric shapes and highlights triathlon events and Dame Flora’s path to Olympic glory.
The scaffolding was dismantled today and the two artists are now working on the lower segment of the piece with step ladders.
Ms Earls added: “I am a muralist and Shanna is a graphic design artist. Her work is amazing so I wanted to bring her in to design the mural.
“It’s her first mural and it is my first time working on scaffolding so it has been challenging, but it is looking good.
“We are both very excited about it, and excited to see how the public receives it.”
The Dame Flora mural is part of the Department of Culture’s public art scheme, set up to highlight the talents of island artists. It will be dedicated on March 26.
A motorcade and several other events were held in October to mark Dame Flora’s achievements.
A public holiday was held on October 18 and Corkscrew Hill, part of the Bermuda triathlon course, was renamed Flora Duffy Hill.
The south field at the National Sports Centre was named the Flora Duffy National Stadium and a special commemorative stamp was unveiled.
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