A new mural at UNC Charlotte Center City presents a vibrant depiction of Charlotte to passers-by on Brevard Street.
“God Save the Queen” features Queen Charlotte, for whom the city was named, and hornets, the city’s unofficial mascot, in a richly colored cityscape that glows with yellows, blues, oranges and greens. The mural is by UNC Charlotte alumnus John Hairston.
“When making art inspired by the city of Charlotte, I enjoy depicting the city as an exotic and racially ambiguous figure, not unlike that of the queen who our city is named after,” said Hairston. “There is a mysticism and magic in our city that has managed to keep me, and individuals like myself, engaged and eager to improve our city in whatever way that we can, be it through the arts, community services, the local government, etc. We are all bees working tenaciously to leave the hive better than we found it.”
Hairston and fellow UNC Charlotte alum Antoine Williams painted a mural in the building’s gallery last September as part of the opening Community Day at UNC Charlotte Center City. That piece, “Here’s Hoping It Rhymes for a Reason,” first introduced Hairston’s Queen Charlotte to Center City.
“God Save the Queen” will remain on the wall facing Brevard Street for a full year, through fall 2013.