The Grand Opening Celebration - March 14, 2008

An Artist's Account by Mel Malkin

My first contact regarding the mural installation in the addition to the College of Law, U of S, came in late August from the project Architect. It was an inquiry as to whether or not I would be interested in doing a mural approximately 10'x 20' in the new addition. I have never worked on anything this size. Although I had considered making larger pieces than I usually do by using tile, it was not something I had actually done.

We visited the space and discussed the location for the work. We also discussed some ideas about the imagery - strong colour, active, abstract.

The first response was a proposal to the college outlining costs and a time schedule. The original request was to complete it by November. This was not possible as I was away all of November, some of which was the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. My proposal was to complete the work including
installation by mid March, allowing about four months for the work.

Toward the end of September, the response from the College came about two weeks later, accepting the cost proposal and the time frame.

Work started on two fronts - drawings of the image and doing samples of tile to test glaze application, adhesion, and colour range. The drawing of the image, done in pastel, would have to use colours that I could achieve in the glazes.

A number of digital images were forwarded to the Architect, based on abstract pieces I had done previously. Drawings were started with images relating to our earlier discussions. However these soon transformed into a different approach entirely. By mid October, I had two series completed, each of about six drawings. The Architect and I met and discussed the differences and the possibilities of each approach. One direction was selected as preferred. Larger drawings to scale were done of the image, completing four more pastels. The building co-ordinator, a faculty member, was called in and shown the whole sequence. One of the last drawings was selected.

A number of glazed tile samples were also reviewed. It was decided to use 12"x12" tile, which were easier for everyone involved to handle and less likely to warp. The colour quality and range was also discussed.

In order to do something this large I required a larger studio where I could lay out the whole image full size which was 8' (h) and 12' (w). After some searching and a little luck, I found a space that was available short
term and large enough to hold 2 -4'x16' tables.

The tile were numbered and prepped and bisque fired. Then they were reset in sequence and the glazing started using the original drawing with a removable 12 inch square grid superimposed to scale. 117 tiles were required for the mural.

Mixing glazes, glazing and applying base and accent elements took the next several weeks. By now we were into mid January. Along the way I had done several more samples,each consisting of 6 to 12 tile, to recheck colour and surface characteristics.

All the firing was done at Agar's Corner, a local farm where Ken Wilkinson has constructed a large gas fired kiln. Ken was the kiln master for the firings of the tile. Three were required of the glazed work for the 117 tiles involved and to avoid any cool spots in the kiln. The large size of the kiln was terrific. No problems were encountered with the firing - the colour was consistent and no warping occurred.

Once the firing was complete I turned the finished tile over to a professional tile setter to install the work to the wall using 'thinset' tile grout. The tile was installed with tight joints and no grout between them.

The mural is located in the atrium forming the south west entry to the law college addition. The space is dedicated to The Honorable C. Michael Ryer, a Judge with the Appeals Court of Canada and a graduate of this law college.

Doing the mural was a first rate experience in all aspects. The work went the way it was envisioned at every step. The clients were very responsive and supportive and I thank them for this. It was a pleasure to do the
project.