Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Celestial: Art on Essex is a public art project that honors the history and contributions of Melrose’s earliest Chinese immigrants to our community while also celebrating progress and growth in our city, Melrose. I created a 6 panel art mural to commemorate the history of Melrose’s first minority owned business - Charlie Sing’s Chinese laundry. Printed on the panels were a constellation of Chinese zodiac animals with lights embedded in the stars that lit up and blinked like twinkling stars when shown at night.

Activating the community with art mural

Celestial was a past name of Chinese immigrants who were considered other and unknown. I wanted to take something foreign and turn it into something beautiful and familiar. I reimagined Chinese zodiac animals into constellations against a vibrant galaxy as a way for us Eastern mythology, gazing into the unknown and a way to navigate the sky. We wanted to take power of that word and create art to highlight the dual meaning. My hope is that it will spotlight the rich history of immigrants that have settled in Melrose and that we’re a diverse and loving community.

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

Community-driven efforts to honor progress

I collaborated with Sam Hammar and Jen LeClerc from Melrose Together and Melrose Creative Alliance, along with local historian Jim Bennett, to uncover the history of Charlie Sing, Chinese immigration, and early Chinese laundry businesses in Melrose (1890s).

Sam and Jen led the effort to bring a vital piece of history to the public through this community-driven project, now displayed downtown Melrose. Once the 12-16 Essex development is complete, the mural will move to its permanent home. I’m incredibly proud to have my artistic voice showcased so prominently and to help honor the city’s rich history.

Learn more about the concept behind “Celestial”, Art on Essex

So much love and labor went into my first public art piece. Here is a peek to of it when lit up.

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

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Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

Community-driven efforts to honor progress

Learn more about the concept behind “Celestial”, Art on Essex

So much love and labor went into my first public art piece. Here is a peek to of it when lit up.

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

‍

Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

Community-driven efforts to honor progress

Learn more about the concept behind “Celestial”, Art on Essex

So much love and labor went into my first public art piece. Here is a peek to of it when lit up.

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

‍

Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

Bo Tsang DiMatteo Design | Work - Celestial Art Mural

Community-driven efforts to honor progress

Learn more about the concept behind “Celestial”, Art on Essex

So much love and labor went into my first public art piece. Here is a peek to of it when lit up.

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

‍

Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Learn more about the concept behind “Celestial”, Art on Essex

So much love and labor went into my first public art piece. Here is a peek to of it when lit up.

Celestial Mural

Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

Community-driven efforts to honor progress

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

‍

Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

Community-driven efforts to honor progress

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

‍

Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

Community-driven efforts to honor progress

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

‍

Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

Community-driven efforts to honor progress

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

‍

Re-envision the word and meaning behind Celestial with my first public art piece

Activating the community with art mural

Each of us are distinct and unique, but essentially we are all celestial beings who look at the same constellation of stars.

‍

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