(May 17, 2021 9:40AM) The U.S. Embassy in Beijing launched Art for the People, a brand new public art exhibit recreating large public murals from the streets of the U.S.A. onto the streets of Beijing. 23 murals from across the United States were chosen for display, including a Jackson Bright Walls mural by Clay McAndrews, Founder of the Bright Walls Mural Festival.
This exhibition is the first of its kind to decorate the exterior walls of the U.S. Embassy compound.
In announcing the project, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “We want a U.S.-China relationship that includes space for direct, honest, and robust public engagement. Art for the People represents the diversity of American society. It also embodies our deep commitment to genuine exchange with the Chinese people.”
McAndrews was surprised when he was contacted by the U.S. Embassy and initially thought it was not legitimate. “When I first got her (Sanny Wroblewski, a multimedia specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing) email I literally thought it was a scam. I tried looking up the woman online and couldn’t find her anywhere. She said her husband worked in secret service and they have worked at U.S. embassies all over the world. They even sent me government contracts to sign and return that allowed them to reproduce and use my mural for 6 months,” McAndrews said.
The embassy chose “Peace” from Bright Walls. McAndrews told JTV the project looked at different mural festivals throughout the United States. “They told me they immediately loved my mural because it connected with people in China. They all use a peace sign there.”
In a statement accompanying the exhibit, McAndrews said, “My hope for this mural is to spread peace. I encourage people to interact with it, photograph it and share it with your network. By doing so you are spreading peace.”
The embassy specifically sought street art for this first-ever exhibit, saying, “American cities are home to countless examples of street art–some commissioned and some created organically. All are part of a rich tradition of public art that proves art does not belong only in private museums or galleries. Art is for the people, by the people, and represents public expression at its most fundamental.”
McAndrews said they chose 15 street art muralists from across the U.S. to feature during this installation. “Among these artists were some recognizable names in the street art world. And, I even noticed an artist we hosted at Bright Walls, Detour,” said McAndrews.
According to McAndrews, they had an opening event with lots of key dignitaries from China and it was very well received. “Overall, I’m really happy I replied to the woman from the U.S. embassy. I’ve since had several conversations with her and she plans to visit Bright Walls next year,” McAndrews said. “Not all emails from China are spam and now my mural is on display in Beijing.”
Sanny Wroblewski, who first contacted McAndrews, emailed him to say the mural is a big hit. “Just wanted to let you know your Peace is a big hit and a topic of conversation on my tours with the Chinese public. People want to know if it is victory or peace. Victory has some hints of Tiananmen square so it really gives me a talking point about how it is Peace not victory. I tell people you said I could spread your Peace around here in China and people like that VERY much!”
Wroblewski told McAndrews, “We just posted about this project on Wechat and Weibo and had tons of views. We have also started doing tours for the embassy employees and are opening the tours up to the public in Chinese next week to explain the works, the artists and what street art really is about and how graffiti transitioned into a legal means of Freedom of Expression. I am currently running the tours and sharing with the local staff all the information I have and have researched about each of you and your art. The local staff here are quite eager to spread the word. Everyone is excited about this project! We are even sending an invitation to the People’s army to join a tour just for them so they can understand what Art for the People is. It’s community, right? I want everyone that sees your works to know what it is and what it stands for and how it collectively is a beautiful and honest view of the United States.”
“Peace” was created by McAndrews during the inaugural Bright Walls Mural Festival in 2018 on the side of Grand River Brewery.
Clay McAndrews is the Founder and Co-Director of the Bright Walls Mural Festival, which takes place in Jackson. He earned a degree in Graphic Design from Central Michigan University. His work focuses on bright color palettes with simple subjects and clean lines.
The Art for the People outdoor exhibit is scheduled to remain on display for six months. and will also be shared virtually on the Embassy’s Weibo and We Chat accounts.
For more information about the “Art for the People” public exhibit, please visit: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/art-for-the-people/
Photos courtesy Clay McAndrews, U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China.
