Artist Cassandra Dickie recently completed this mural depicting a woman holding a light bulb that shines across her face at Snider Plaza as part of the Bank Street BIA’s efforts for increasing public art. Kristine Lee, Centretown NewsAs the days get shorter and darkness falls earlier each night, local artist Cassandra Dickie’s latest mural will illuminate one corner of Centretown.
The mural is painted on the wall inside the Snider Plaza at the corner of Bank and Slater Street, and it features a woman holding a light bulb that shines across her face.
“She’s a woman who is previously seen as invisible, and the light being brought to her is illuminating her and giving her strength,” Dickie said.
“A lot of women walking by have been taking that meaning from it, and I’m hoping that anyone walking by also takes that interpretation. It’s meant to say ‘I’m seeing you and you’re strong and I want to inspire you in that way.’ ”
The design incorporates the original red brick colour of the wall, particularly in the determined young woman’s face and hair. Dickie used various shades of blacks, greys and whites throughout the rest of the mural, which covers most of the wall.
The image is especially interesting after dark.
“The streetlights in the courtyard line up with the light bulbs at a certain angle, so it makes for a really interesting perspective,” said Dickie.
Lindsay Bond is the store manager at Images on Bank, directly across the street from the mural site.
She has been watching the mural take shape for the past month and a half.
“It was fun to watch the process. They had a big scissor lift, rollers, spray cans — all sorts of different techniques. It was really cool,” said Bond.
She added that she was impressed with the mural and thinks it’s a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.
“I think it’s beautiful,” she said. “I really like that they used the colour of the wall as part of it instead of painting over the whole thing. I find it really nice that there’s more public art in the city.”
The Bank Street BIA commissioned Dickie’s latest design as part of an ongoing mural program to brighten up the neighbourhood.
Earlier this year, local artists Dan Metcalfe and Pat Buck produced the first mural — The Whale — at the former Silver Snail comic book store on Bank Street.
Christine Leadman, executive director of the Bank Street BIA, said it’s important to work collaboratively with local artists and business owners to animate public spaces.
“We’re right in the downtown area where you see a lot of tourists come in, all the hotels are close by, so it brings back more life to the area,” said Leadman. She added that the feedback for Dickie’s newest piece has been very positive. “A lot of people really like it and think it’s great. The property owner is thrilled. We can’t ask for more.”
Dickie is one of the lead artists with Ottawa Urban Arts — a collective of graffiti artists that works with local community groups, business owners and municipal committees to enhance public spaces.
The organization is also focused on educating youth about positive ways to express their creativity.
Dickie’s work can be found throughout the city. She recently collaborated with local artist Dodo Ose to produce the surrealist mural on the underpass at Queen Elizabeth Drive and Laurier Avenue.
Dickie and the Ottawa Urban Arts team are also behind the Connection mural on the underpass at Metcalfe Street and Hwy. 417.
Dickie said she is committed to growing the urban art movement in the city and improving underprivileged communities. She has painted murals all across North America.