Mankind has created murals on walls for thousands of years, dating back to paintings of animals in caves in France made with natural pigments. Murals have been produced in many cultures around the world on interior and exterior walls of buildings, from ancient Egyptian tombs and Roman bedrooms to the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Modern murals often convey important community messages or celebrate local history and wildlife. Large murals located high on buildings use bright colors and bold designs to be visible from the street below and bring visual interest to neighborhoods.

2. Mankind has created works of art on walls from early times. For example,
these images of wild animals, on the wall of a cave in France, were
produced using naturally-occurring pigments such as yellow ochre.

3. Mali, West Africa.

4. Zimbabwe.

6. Egyptian tomb
wall painting

7. Roman bedroom wall

8. • A Roman bath mural

10. The Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome.

11. Part of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

13. Mural artists
enjoy making
massive
images!

14. Often, modern murals convey important messages to communities.
The example shown here has a Biblical message, together with an
image of racial harmony.

15. Another favourite topic is features of the
local area, and also local history.

16. In this community mural, the location's
amazing wildlife is celebrated visually.

17. The art-works become a part of people's day to
day existence.

18. This mural has an 'illusion of space' effect,
and also some references to historical art.

19. Located on a
high building,
this mural’s
bright colours
and bold
shapes
ensure that it
is visible from
the street
below.

20. Another mural
by the same
artist – Knox
Martin. What
is your own
opinion
about large
wall
decorations
in public
places?

31. Creating Murals for Schools:
1. Thomas Deir, Hawaii, U.S.A.

34. Another Thomas Deir Mural

37. 2. Morris Hillier Junior School Library, St. Kitts

51. Murals can be inside too.

52. The ‘illusion of space’

53. People working together!

54. Street mural in Los Angeles, U.S.

55. Cheering up a dull sidewalk

56. Getting a message across -
‘care’

57. The illusion of space, again

58. Details from the previous mural

60. “Chaotic Growth”

61. “Chaotic Growth” 2

62. Painting on a museum wall
African American Firefighters

63. Decorative mural

64. “Evolution of the Spirit”

65. The message can be simple.

66. Showing pride in their locality

67. Community volunteers

68. “Mother Nature’s Son”

69. Community as a growing tree

70. Unity Neighbourhood Centre

71. Names in styles

72. Adding a new image to the old

73. Take a run-down wall….

74. ...and create a fantasy space

75. Rudy-Mcbayawak – wall artist

76. Simple white ‘silhouettes’

77. Wall painting at a skate park

78. Mural in a realistic style by
David Fichter

79. Crazy wall art in Paris, France

80. “Urban Hartbeat”

81. Viking mythology theme

82. “Vision of Compromise”