FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tonia Macneil
415/252-2551
tonia.macneil@sfgov.org

Tile Murals by Artist Bean Finneran at Junipero Serra Playground

Ceramic tile murals by Bean Finneran. Photos by Perretti and Park Pictures 2008

Luis R. Cancel, Director of Cultural Affairs for the San Francisco Arts Commission, is pleased to announce the completion of two ceramic tile murals by San Francisco artist Bean Finneran, now installed at Junipero Serra Playground in San Francisco.

Employing just two shapes, squares and darts, Bean Finneran varied the color relationships to create two distinct artworks for the new clubhouse. The optical effect of each is strikingly different. On the south wall, facing the playing fields, the 7-foot by 9-foot pattern appears to be vertical stripes, while the north wall’s 7-foot by 8-foot mural becomes a series of oscillating squares. Viewers may discover, upon further investigation, that each pattern contains the other.

Finneran found inspiration in Islamic tile patterns and American quilts but drew on her love of strong color to give the patterns a cheerful, modernist flair. According to the artist, the clubhouse architecture and placement strongly influenced her designs. The south mural, overlooking the playing fields, is best viewed from a distance, and responds to the strong verticality of its site. A more animated statement greets visitors on the north, which faces the playground’s main entrance.

Laurey (Bean) Finneran began her career as co-founder of the theatre group Soon 3 and later became a successful jewelry maker. She is currently an active ceramic artist who exhibits frequently both nationally and internationally. This is her first public art commission.

The San Francisco Arts Commission

Established by charter in 1932, the San Francisco Arts Commission (“SFAC”) is the City agency that champions the arts in San Francisco. We believe that a creative cultural environment is essential to the City’s well-being. SFAC programs integrate the arts into all aspects of City life. Programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Arts & Education, Cultural Equity Grants, Public Art, SFAC Gallery, Street Artist Licensing, Summer in the City Concert Series.

The Arts Commission’s Public Art Program was established by City ordinance in 1969, as one of the first of its kind in the country. The Public Art Program seeks to promote a diverse and stimulating cultural environment to enrich the lives of the City’s residents, visitors and employees. The program encourages the creative interaction of artists, designers, City staff, officials and community members during the design of City projects in order to develop public art that is specific to the site and meaningful to the community.