ARTIST STATEMENT - Amy Zaremba

My name is Amy Zaremba, this is Alicia Rheal and Sharon Tang. We are artists based right here in Madison. We have worked together on a number of projects over the last few years. Each time we try to bring our own unique perspectives, experiences and artistic strengths together to create something stronger than any one of us could do alone. This project was no different and yet it was entirely different than anything we have ever done.

I would like to talk a little about how we got here, to this big vibrant mural. Some of the process may be a mystery but there is so much intention, so many visions and stories wrapped up in this one work of art. 

When we were chosen as the artist team to take on this first big Bayview public art project we began with questions. We met with groups of residents over a number of weeks to find answers and often discover new questions. We heard stories of hopefulness, helpfulness and home. We gathered unique ideas, inspiring images and words from little kids to older adults - as many folks as we could reach. You can imagine the variety of ideas, responses and requests. 

How does all of that come together?

The theme of Home connected everything - the littlest kids, teens and grandparents all spoke of how Bayview - the community, the staff and the neighbors - made this feel like a safe, healthy, happy place to call home. Many residents spoke of the feeling of acceptance here, the notion that Bayview meets you where you are in life and nurtures your goals. Most folks gravitated towards images of nature, gardening and wildlife. Some wanted to shout to the city of Madison that Bayview is still here, still thriving. As luxury housing pops up all around, this complex and inclusive community still stands, right here. 

That is a lot to capture in one mural. How does one wall hold all of that hope, love and resilience?

We began with many different sketches. This particular design evolved from Sharon’s beautiful sketch of mosaic hands. With feedback Sharon shifted the focal hands to a nest that skillfully represents the concepts of home and what it means to different people. Through many rounds of conversation among ourselves and with Bayview leadership we finally arrived at this design together.

Home can be a place to nurture growth, raise a family and support one another; it’s a place to call one’s own. The nest represents these themes while the eggs, the baby bird and the bird taking flight symbolize different stages of life, hope for the future and the unknown. The view point looks down on the nest and through the branches we see the cut off stumps of other trees to represent the resilience and strength of this community in the changing Madison landscape. The line figures are tending to gardens and to each other to illuminate the kindness and care cultivated by the Bayview residents and staff. The mosaic style reflects the different cultures and experiences that come together to complete this beautiful community. 

With this mural and the brilliant new buildings surrounding us - Bayview shouts to be recognized and to be appreciated for what it is - Home. Bayview is both a welcoming place to land, a safe place to grow roots, and an encouraging place from which to take flight. 

Once we had this approved design we moved on to production. Our collective goal was to create a community inspired design that we could also paint together with residents. That could not be done on a wall this tall or complex - so we used Polytab mural fabric. This non-woven interfacing material has been successfully used in murals for over 40 years - the process even strengthens the wall beneath. But, it isn’t easy. Especially when there are windows, balconies, vents and more windows to measure and glue around. 

We transferred the design to our polytab using a grid method on the floor of a large studio space. With a map of color placement and bins of mixed paint Alicia and Sharon, along with some helpful teen interns, spent a whole week painting on tables in the community center with nearly 120 Bayview residents. We hoped to get as many hands involved in the process as were interested and the community really showed up!

After the community paint week we brought the poly tab back to our shop to line it all up again and finesse - we added third coats of paint, painted details and line work, and sealed it all with multiple clear coats. 

Finally it was time to install. We rented a lift and stocked up on acrylic gel medium - the glue that holds it all together. This part of the process was like applying wall paper on a massive scale - with wind and weather. We lined up our panels, luckily measurements were accurate and weather was on our side. Final touch ups brought it all together and I think that I can speak for all of us here in saying that we are so proud of what we accomplished together. 

I want to thank everyone from Bayview - from the leadership and staff to all of the residents - for trusting us with this project. You trusted us with your wall and with your ideas, hopes and visions. This community showed up - from design conversations to actual painting - residents were engaged and encouraging. I hope that you are all so proud of every single contribution. This was a challenging and beautiful experience for us and I hope you all see some bit of yourself in this piece - maybe it is the green leaf you painted or the feeling of home that is in your hearts. 

Thank you.