This year’s residents will have the opportunity to work with amazing children’s book illustrator and author Sally Heinrich on a mural project. The tunnel between Abraham House and Federation House will become an artistic expression of the adventurous and culturally diverse character of Lincoln College. Lincoln College Visual Art students and other creative  residents  and staff will help to design and paint a mural that incorporates the College’s history, spirit and international nature. The College would be grateful for any donations of exterior washable paint, drop cloths, paintbrushes, buckets and painting materials. You can check out Sally’s work here: http://www.sallyheinrich.com/

The Magic of the Red Thread
The saying goes that there is a red thread that binds together those who are destined to be together. The thread may stretch & tangle – but never break. Dentistry student Fiona Thuy suggested the image as an East-meets-West representation of what happens at Lincoln – the coming together of people for life-long bonds.

The red string of fate, the red thread of destiny is the linking motif in the new mural Lincoln visual arts and other creative students are working on with illustrator Sally Heinrich. And destiny may well have played a part in bringing Sally to Lincoln. Staff member Marilyn Palmer-Firth met Sally through a course, and when she saw her work – stories that explore Asian and Western legends and images – Marilyn knew she was the artist for this project.

Students will cover the sides and the ceiling of the Abraham-Federation walkway with images that speak to us of cultural diversity, education, friendship, peace, spirit, earth, sea and sky.  Sally will bring together into one narrative the ideas and designs of the individual students involved. The mural will contain clues, symbols and puzzles, words and objects. Sally works with brilliant bejewelled colours, glowing and wondrous imagery and beautiful stories.

Sitting in the initial meeting with Sally and the students was inspirational – the accord with which the students defined what Lincoln meant to them, listening as they explored the symbols, the values and the journey was a privilege.
I am extremely excited for this Jubilee project and can’t wait to get my own hands dirty with paint as we bring the mural to life. The mural will be officially “opened” at the Art Exhibition Opening in August.

NOTE: Before we splash about paint, we are going to play with grout – creating stepping stone mosaics for the community garden – some of which will pick up the idea of the red thread. Watch the Facebook page and the webpage for photos.


Copyright © Sally Heinrich 2012 No copyright infringement intended.