Associate Professor Koichi Kawamoto and students from the Department of Art and Design Kyushu Sangyo University, Zokei Junior College of Art and Design and Design created murals on the walls of the ring-tailed lemur enclosure and the tortoise enclosure in conjunction with the special exhibition "Artistic Spring at Mori Kirara" held at Kujukushima Zoological and Botanical Garden Mori Kirara (Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture).
This project came about after the park requested that students contribute to the special exhibition. Associate Professor Kawamoto designed the mural, and the students were in charge of the painting. Starting in February of this year, the students visited the site several times, carefully applying the colors while adjusting the paint to the uneven surface of the wall and the surrounding environment, following the initial sketch. As the work was done outdoors, the weather affected the process, and the students had to adjust the amount of paint and water to determine the right ratio for quick drying and vibrant color development, employing various techniques to adapt to the environment.
Yume Matsumoto, a second-year student Department of Art and Design (Kyushu Sangyo University Affiliated Kyushu High School), who was involved in the production, said, "It was challenging to maintain balance while painting on the large wall surface and to adjust the way I applied the paint to match the texture of the wall. Because it was an environment where I could actually observe animals, I focused on creating a more lively expression by referring to the movements and expressions of real animals. Being able to work on the project while considering the client's intentions and being conscious of why we were creating in this location was an experience that I can use in my future work."
When you visit the park, please be sure to take a look at the artwork.
[Kyushu Sangyo University, Zokei Junior College of Art and Design]
