LAURA A MURAL BY TAQUEN
LAURA A MURAL BY TAQUEN AT THE WATERFORD WALLS FESTIVAL [26 AUGUST 2019 THE DAY AFTER IT WAS COMPLETED]
A Fleeting Masterpiece: Taquen's Mural at the Waterford Walls Festival
In the summer of 2019, the streets of Waterford, Ireland, were transformed into a living canvas. Amid the vibrant colours and bold statements of the Waterford Walls festival, a mural by Spanish artist Taquen appeared on a quiet corner of Thomas Street. Titled "Laura," this piece was a subtle and poetic meditation on nature. It was also a brilliant example of how temporary street art can leave a permanent mark on a city's soul.
The Artist and the Festival: A Perfect Union
The collaboration between Taquen and the Waterford Walls festival was a natural fit. Founded by Edel Tobin, the festival’s mission is to use art for urban regeneration and social cohesion, turning Ireland's oldest city into a sprawling open-air gallery. Taquen's deeply philosophical art, which explores the connection between humanity and the environment, found a perfect home in this mission.
Taquen, a Madrid-based artist, started his career in graffiti at just 13. He later refined his craft with a degree in Fine Arts, creating a unique blend of street-smart instinct and formal training. His work is instantly recognisable for its figurative and minimalist style, and a signature palette of warm and pastel tones. He often features birds and other animals in motion, symbols of humanity's journey and our search for a better future.
His art is not just for aesthetics; it's a tool for positive change. For years, Taquen has been involved in a community-focused art project in Kathmandu, Nepal, a commitment that highlights his belief in art's power to build and heal communities. This dedication to social responsibility made him a perfect partner for the Waterford Walls project.
"Laura": More Than Just Paint
Completed on 25th August 2019, Taquen’s mural was a testament to his unique style. It was also part of a larger, curated conversation at the intersection of Thomas and Baker streets. Adjacent to "Laura" was a powerful mural by British artist Louise Masai, whose vibrant elephants carried a dark message about environmental tragedy.
This juxtaposition was a stroke of curatorial genius by the festival organisers. While Masai’s piece was a direct and political call to action, Taquen’s "Laura" offered a more poetic and metaphorical dialogue about our relationship with nature. The two artworks, though stylistically different, worked together to spark a nuanced conversation about environmental issues.
The 2019 Festival Roster
Taquen’s participation in the 2019 Waterford Walls festival placed him among a prestigious group of both international and Irish artists. Here’s a list of some of the notable artists who contributed to the event:
ACHES (Ireland)
Horhay Designs (Spain)
Inkfun (Ireland)
FRIZ (Ireland)
Shane O'Malley (Ireland)
Kitsune (Belgium)
Holly Pereira (Ireland)
Emily Ding (USA)
HUARIU (Puerto Rico)
Williann (France)
George Rose (Australia)
Polar (France)
James Kirwan (Ireland)
Slim Saffont (Spain)
Niall.ol (Ireland)
BustArt (Switzerland)
Dan Kitchener (UK)
Peachzz (UK)
Mister Copy (France)
Magda Karol (Ireland)
Chekos (Italy)
Neto Vettorello (Brazil)
Alex Senna (Brazil)
Smug (Australia)
Sonny Sundancer (South Africa)
Louis Masai (UK)
Taquen (Spain)
This impressive lineup shows the festival's global reach and its commitment to bringing world-class art to the streets of Waterford.
The Enduring Legacy of the Ephemeral
In a poignant twist of fate, "Laura" was ultimately removed after a storm in 2021 damaged its cardboard hand finish. This physical destruction by a force of nature only served to highlight the central paradox of street art: its inherent impermanence.
The mural's value was never meant to be measured by its permanence. Its true legacy lies in its role as a cultural catalyst. Though the physical artwork is gone, it lives on in photographs, the collective memory of the community, and the digital archives of the festival. "Laura" proved that the impact of public art is not limited by its physical existence, but by its ability to spark dialogue, inspire a community, and become a part of a city’s evolving story.
A Fleeting Masterpiece: Taquen's Mural at the Waterford Walls Festival
In the summer of 2019, the streets of Waterford, Ireland, were transformed into a living canvas. Amid the vibrant colours and bold statements of the Waterford Walls festival, a mural by Spanish artist Taquen appeared on a quiet corner of Thomas Street. Titled "Laura," this piece was a subtle and poetic meditation on nature. It was also a brilliant example of how temporary street art can leave a permanent mark on a city's soul.
The Artist and the Festival: A Perfect Union
The collaboration between Taquen and the Waterford Walls festival was a natural fit. Founded by Edel Tobin, the festival’s mission is to use art for urban regeneration and social cohesion, turning Ireland's oldest city into a sprawling open-air gallery. Taquen's deeply philosophical art, which explores the connection between humanity and the environment, found a perfect home in this mission.
Taquen, a Madrid-based artist, started his career in graffiti at just 13. He later refined his craft with a degree in Fine Arts, creating a unique blend of street-smart instinct and formal training. His work is instantly recognisable for its figurative and minimalist style, and a signature palette of warm and pastel tones. He often features birds and other animals in motion, symbols of humanity's journey and our search for a better future.
His art is not just for aesthetics; it's a tool for positive change. For years, Taquen has been involved in a community-focused art project in Kathmandu, Nepal, a commitment that highlights his belief in art's power to build and heal communities. This dedication to social responsibility made him a perfect partner for the Waterford Walls project.
"Laura": More Than Just Paint
Completed on 25th August 2019, Taquen’s mural was a testament to his unique style. It was also part of a larger, curated conversation at the intersection of Thomas and Baker streets. Adjacent to "Laura" was a powerful mural by British artist Louise Masai, whose vibrant elephants carried a dark message about environmental tragedy.
This juxtaposition was a stroke of curatorial genius by the festival organisers. While Masai’s piece was a direct and political call to action, Taquen’s "Laura" offered a more poetic and metaphorical dialogue about our relationship with nature. The two artworks, though stylistically different, worked together to spark a nuanced conversation about environmental issues.
The 2019 Festival Roster
Taquen’s participation in the 2019 Waterford Walls festival placed him among a prestigious group of both international and Irish artists. Here’s a list of some of the notable artists who contributed to the event:
ACHES (Ireland)
Horhay Designs (Spain)
Inkfun (Ireland)
FRIZ (Ireland)
Shane O'Malley (Ireland)
Kitsune (Belgium)
Holly Pereira (Ireland)
Emily Ding (USA)
HUARIU (Puerto Rico)
Williann (France)
George Rose (Australia)
Polar (France)
James Kirwan (Ireland)
Slim Saffont (Spain)
Niall.ol (Ireland)
BustArt (Switzerland)
Dan Kitchener (UK)
Peachzz (UK)
Mister Copy (France)
Magda Karol (Ireland)
Chekos (Italy)
Neto Vettorello (Brazil)
Alex Senna (Brazil)
Smug (Australia)
Sonny Sundancer (South Africa)
Louis Masai (UK)
Taquen (Spain)
This impressive lineup shows the festival's global reach and its commitment to bringing world-class art to the streets of Waterford.
The Enduring Legacy of the Ephemeral
In a poignant twist of fate, "Laura" was ultimately removed after a storm in 2021 damaged its cardboard hand finish. This physical destruction by a force of nature only served to highlight the central paradox of street art: its inherent impermanence.
The mural's value was never meant to be measured by its permanence. Its true legacy lies in its role as a cultural catalyst. Though the physical artwork is gone, it lives on in photographs, the collective memory of the community, and the digital archives of the festival. "Laura" proved that the impact of public art is not limited by its physical existence, but by its ability to spark dialogue, inspire a community, and become a part of a city’s evolving story.