This is the mural in Gran Canaria that could be the finest in the world

The Province

Agüimes 19 JAN 2025 16:04

Erik Air, a celebrated artist from Tenerife, has secured a distinguished status within the global urban art sphere. His creation ‘Energy’, a mural spanning 500 square metres sited at a petrol station in Arinaga, Gran Canaria, has been chosen as one of the top 100 globally by the specialised platform ‘Street Art Cities’. This mural embodies a message of unity and transformation, crafted with complete artistic liberty—an aspect Erik underscored as essential to the work’s evolution.

The artwork features six portraits of children, conveying a significant message within a context of societal division. The children gradually converge on a central point symbolising energy, illustrating that collaboration and unity are vital for fostering strength and harmony. Erik emphasises that the piece aims to challenge the current state of polarization, where “everyone is in conflict,” and he declares that True energy emerges when we unite.

The creative journey

The artist dedicated a month to the creation of the mural, contending with obstacles such as the unpredictable weather in Arinaga. Despite these hurdles, the outcome is a composition that employs colour and expression to depict an emotional odyssey. The children’s faces, initially characterised by uncertainty, transition into expressions of peace as they approach the mural’s centre. The terms ‘MOTIO’ (movement) and ‘MUTATIUM’ (change) are included to strengthen the theme of transformation. The word ‘ENERGY’ is presented alongside its definition, linking the message to its etymological origins.

‘Energy’ signifies the culmination of a phase in Erik Air’s artistic journey, which he refers to as a crucial learning process filled with personal growth. For him, the mural epitomises the equilibrium between internal and social divides, where genuine human energy, grounded in love, serves as a catalyst for change.