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In the vibrant city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Mona Caron’s mural “Outgrowing,” featured in the Wallriors festival, invites us to reflect on the power of nature and the enduring spirit of healing. Commissioned by the City of Kaohsiung in the Lingya District, this mural transcends simple aesthetics; it is a profound commentary on our disturbed environment.
Mona Caron is known for her ability to elevate the often-overlooked flora around us. In “Outgrowing,” she portrays plants with significant medicinal properties—such as Echinacea, Leonotis leonurus, Agastache mexicana, and safflower—depicted as thriving amidst inhospitable conditions. While these plants are hardly weeds, Mona Caron paints them growing wild, reminiscent of how weeds adapt and flourish in disturbed soils, symbolising resilience in an urban landscape overshadowed by challenges.
Image Copyright Mona Caron
The mural beautifully illustrates rootless migrant growth, conjured like magic in the urban jungle. This visual metaphor encapsulates the tiny actions of individuals who, together, work towards reconnecting both physically and emotionally with nature. It reminds us that our collective efforts, although they may seem small in the face of towering dangers, contribute significantly to healing and transformation.
Image Copyright Mona Caron
As the healing plants push skyward, they assert their presence and vitality, yearning for the clear skies often obscured in bustling cities like Kaohsiung. Caron’s use of the wall’s large canvas amplifies this theme of scale, transforming a micro level of existence into a macro assertion of grassroots power—both human and plant.
Is this mural a dream, a hope, a wish, or a plan? Perhaps it embodies all these sentiments, conveying a deep feeling of aspiration amidst adversity. Mona Caron is steadfast in her belief that planting a seed—whether physical or metaphorical—can catalyse transformative change, much like the long-distance migrating Parantica Sita butterfly carrying pollen across oceans.
Image Copyright Mona Caron
“Outgrowing” serves as a reminder that air, water, and land are vital to life. We must not give up on the possibility of rejuvenation and unity with nature. Mona Caron’s mural calls us all to join in the movement for climate justice, affirming that together, rooted in hope and action, we can nurture a healthier world.
Commissioned by the City of Kaohsiung and located in the Lingya District, Mona Caron’s mural “Outgrowing” measures an impressive 42.3 x 14.2 metres, encompassing a total area of 600.66 m². As of this month, December 2017, government officials and news reports have recognised it as the largest mural in Asia by surface area, making it a significant landmark in the vibrant urban landscape of Kaohsiung.
