Public Disco Unveils First Mural Project in Collaboration with PCI Developments

Photo by Mavreen David

Vancouver July 2024 - Public Disco is excited to announce the unveiling of its inaugural mural project at the 2024 Pride Block Party on Saturday, August 3rd. This mural has been made possible through the generous support of PCI Developments, whose commitment to local arts initiatives underscores their dedication to enhancing the cultural fabric of our city.

This vibrant, multi-piece mural, created by the talented artists Christina Hryc (CeeBoots) and Ciele Beau, is prominently located in the laneway at West 3rd Avenue and Ontario Street. It is a striking addition to the Mount Pleasant landscape, adding a splash of colour to PCI Developments 4th and Ontario project pre-development.

Photo by Mavreen David

The piece, curated by Steff Love carries the theme of emergence. “The lens in which I view the world is intricately through economics and policy and how access to resources governs our everyday lives. Through this time of economic survival and recovery, the queer community has continued to remain resilient and vibrant and I wanted to create a theme that reflects that light in the face of severe economic pressures and challenges," said Steff. "Emergence is triumphant and hopeful, and I think this event is the perfect embodiment of a celebration of that."

Public Disco's first foray into mural creation highlights its ongoing dedication to enriching Vancouver's cultural landscape and providing platforms for diverse artistic expression. This mural project not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the laneway but also serves as a symbol of unity and pride in a world that’s increasingly divided.

Artist Statements

Photo by Mavreen David

From Ciele: “My approach was to bring in various flowers into the designs that are symbolic of the queer community in different ways. The rose is the ultimate floral symbol of love, and that includes queer love. The rose was the flower of Eros, the Greco-Roman god of passion and erotic love. The green carnation is featured, as a nod to Oscar Wilde, who made the wearing of the green carnation on ones lapel popular, as a way to signal to other gay men that you were also gay in a time when homosexuality was not accepted. I've included daisies and buttercups as a reclamation of these flower names which were originally used as derogatory terms for queer people. But in spite of that discrimination, we continue to blossom and thrive. You will also see two hands holding violets which is the flower symbolic of love and relationships between women. The violet has been associated with lesbian love since the 6th century, made popular by the Greek poet Sappho. The pairings of hands and flowers al represent different types of queer relationships.”

Photo by Mavreen David

From Christina: “I chose to depict pollinators and florals in my piece to highlight the rich tapestry of the queer community. Just as a garden thrives through the diverse contributions of bees, ladybugs, and flowers, the LGBTQ+ community flourishes through its many unique individuals. Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, symbolize the dynamic and vital roles people play in spreading ideas, love, and support throughout the community. Flowers represent the beautiful diversity and growth that results from this interaction. Ladybugs, often seen as protectors of the garden, echo the advocates and allies who work tirelessly to safeguard our rights and wellbeing. Each element in a garden, much like each person in the LGBTQ+ community, is essential in creating a vibrant, interconnected, and resilient whole.”