The El Ejido Mural, a collage of photos and painted imagery, was inspired by French photographer JR who found a discarded camera in a Paris subway and began taking photos. In one project he photographed persons living in poor neighborhoods in the outskirts of Paris and then pasted huge prints of their faces on public buildings in wealthy downtown neighborhoods.
Local children designed El Ejido’s mural with the assistance of Colectivo TAN 473 artists Celia Jameson, Katie Clancy, and Paola Huitrón.
Several times a week for 3 weeks TAN artists, tourists, El Ejido community members, and other Guanajuato residents helped children paint frames for the photos.
TAN artist consulting with children
Katie and Paula took photographs of the children and of other El Ejido community members. On February 1, 2014, TAN 473 artists arrived with the printed photos and pasted them to the wall.
Katie Clancy photographing a young artist for the wall.
Paula Huitrón
El Ejido resident helping paint a frame.
A young tourist stopped by to help paint
- News cameraman films Katie Clancy putting up the first photo.
Celia Jameson preparing to paste on a photo.
Artists at work
- Colectivo TAN 473 found funding for materials
Masked and unmasked
- Celebrating with snacks
Celebrating with music.
Finishing touches
Writing in Fits and Starts 