Pierre F.

For the 40th anniversary of the ENVIE network, a network of companies promoting integration through economic activity, the Lourd collective, of which I am a part, was contacted to create a vertical mural for the Allonnes store. It was intended to evoke ideas of welcome, collaboration, and integration, central themes for ENVIE Maine. We worked on this project as a duo with Roxane Verquin, based on one of my graphic proposals, and were later assisted in the painting phase by Louise and Antoine, interns and students from the Le Mans Fine Arts school.

As part of a redevelopment project for the mall in front of the Allonnes town hall, the company Cénovia, responsible for the renovation work, called upon the Lourd collective, of which I am a part, to create two ground murals. These murals were intended to revitalize the area - a square surrounded by a partially abandoned shopping center, for the duration of the renovation work.

The project began with a participatory workshop with the residents of Allonnes, who were invited to share their opinions on the project and draw with the members of the collective. Once this data was collected, we proposed several graphic directions, drawing inspiration from the graphic material gathered.

My proposal was selected. I focused on trying to incorporate the specific features of the town (the rainbow bridge, the towers, the Sarthe river, youth...), while using a bright color palette to contrast with the greyness of the square it was meant to enhance. I designed complementary visuals. The first mural is a kind of checkerboard, with each square containing a visual that can be found on the second mural, which is a complete illustration, a kind of find-and-seek.

The two murals are separated by a building but are designed to communicate/dialogue with each other.

We painted the mural in July 2024, when the weather was favorable. Several time slots were open for the public to come and lend a hand and paint with us.

I did the drawing and coloring for this comic book album aimed at young readers (6-10 years old), based on a story written by Dominique and Fanny Joly. Publication August 23, 2023