"It was a great experience": Popular bookstore uses local artist to cover up vandalized window
In the latest string of vandalism against local stores in Vancouver, one business came up with a creative solution.
Vancouver’s iconic independent bookstore Pulpfiction Books debuted a new mural at its Mount Pleasant store called “Home and Away.”
The mural was designed by local artist Ehren Salazar and shows a beautiful blue house floating away from a grassy field.
“I think it had to do with the nature of housing in Vancouver and heritage and how things come and go,” said Salazar. “I like leaving it up to the viewer to interpret.”
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Pulpfiction Books put out the call for an artist a month ago to paint over the plywood that is covering the window. Salazar, whose studio is neighbouring the bookstore, sent in his mural and was selected as the winner by a staff vote.
“I’ve applied to grants [and] never gotten any grants. So, it was kind of the first time getting selected for something, and it’s very encouraging,” said Salazar.
The mural is the third iteration of a piece Salazar has drawn and painted before. To complete this version of the mural, the artist carried his supplies in an “old-timey” fashion by trolley cart and set up shop outside the store.
It took Salazar three days to paint the mural and acted as a “nice exercise” in painting within shorter parameters.
“There’s no whistle or bell that goes off to tell you it’s done, but less is more,” he said. “Usually, you can kind of overwork a piece.”
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According to an Instagram post from Pulpfiction Books, the mural is in place after someone tried to tag the store and “pushed a little too hard” on the window.
When the new glass arrives, Salazar’s piece will be auctioned off, and the proceeds will be donated to a charity chosen by Pulpfiction Books.
“It was a great experience, actually. I thought that was really cool of them to have thought of that,” Salazar said.
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