SPARKASSE BANK
LOOMING LARGE FESTIVAL I FLENSBURG
The Looming Large Festival brought together nine incredible female mural artists from around the world, with Molly Hawkins headlining the event, to celebrate and showcase their artistry while contributing to Flensburg's art and culture scene. With a focus on amplifying women's art in the public eye, the festival featured diverse and captivating artworks across the town.
Molly Hawkins was given a 10m x 8m concrete canvas on the façade of Sparkasse Bank to create her mural. Drawing inspiration from the local vicinity of Flensburg, Molly incorporated elements from the city's vibrant colours, architecture, and the wooden Danish boats moored in the harbour into her design. The deep blues of the Fjord waters and the lush warm orange and yellows of the city buildings provided a perfect colour palette, while the city's beautiful architecture, rooftops, and archways offered interesting formations for her piece.
Over the course of a week, Molly painted her mural as part of the festival, allowing visitors to witness the artwork's development and completion. This interactive experience not only showcased Molly's creative process but also fostered a sense of connection between the artist, the artwork, and the community. To further document this artistic journey, a documentary was created featuring interviews with the artists and capturing the creation of their murals.
Molly Hawkins' experience working internationally, such as her participation in the Looming Large Festival, has provided her with invaluable insights into the challenges and rewards of collaborating with various organisations, including banks like Sparkasse. Working across borders requires a keen understanding of cultural nuances, effective communication, and adaptability.
Collaborating with a bank presents unique challenges and opportunities. Banks are often seen as conservative institutions, and working with them necessitates striking a balance between respecting their brand identity and pushing creative boundaries. It is vital to maintain open lines of communication and establish mutual
understanding throughout the project, ensuring that the artwork aligns with the institution's values and vision while still showcasing the artist's unique style and message.
In the case of the Looming Large Festival, Molly Hawkins successfully navigated these challenges by incorporating local elements of Flensburg's culture, architecture, and colour palette into her mural design, creating a piece that resonated with both the bank and the community. Her ability to work internationally and collaborate with diverse organisations, such as Sparkasse Bank, demonstrates her adaptability, cross-cultural understanding, and commitment to creating impactful public art that transcends borders and connects people.
Photo credit - Jan Michael Stümpert
