Art Chowder September | October Issue No. 29 | Page 54

REGIONAL REPORT
SPOKANE ARTS
Which is one of the reasons why she submitted this particular mural design in
response to Spokane Arts Commission’s’ call for applications. She wanted to draw
attention to variances in cultures while emphasizing their common humanity.
“That’s the main message I want people to know: We’re not that different. We all
like swimming,” she laughs.
Another reason was the “weird juxtaposition” that the underwater scene created on
the wall of a tall building.
“It’s super blue. You see so many different shades of blue. In downtown Spokane, all
of these buildings, they’re all red brick. None of them are cool tones. I just wanted
to make this area look a little bit different, to kind of challenge people’s visual
experience.”
Ultimately, Lin counts herself lucky to be among the artists who are helping to
increase the presence and variety of public art in Spokane’s historic core. She says
the current energy around the city’s art scene reminds her favorably of Cincinnati,
Ohio, where she earned her MFA.
“I feel very blessed,” she says. “The purpose of making art is sharing, letting
everyone experience your thoughts about the world. After I finish this, I can show
people, ‘Look at this huge mural.’ That’s a great opportunity.”
54 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE