Bill Papas's mural of Portland, Oregon

Bill Papas's mural of Portland, Oregon
ArtistBill Papas
MediumWatercolor painting
Dimensions2.6 m × 1.4 m (8.5 ft × 4.5 ft)
LocationPortland, Oregon, U.S.

Bill Papas's mural of Portland, Oregon depicts more than 50 prominent residents of the city during the 1990s. The watercolor painting was displayed at a restaurant in the Hilton Portland Hotel from 1995 to 2014. It was donated to the Oregon Historical Society when the hotel and restaurant were redesigned. The Oregon Historical Society Museum exhibited the work in early 2015, and again for one month in 2018. People depicted in the mural include Stephen Bollenbach, Gert Boyle, James DePreist, Sho Dozono, Jack Faust, Peggy Fowler, Neil Goldschmidt, Mark Hatfield, Barron Hilton, Vera Katz, John Kitzhaber, Phil Knight, Robert B. Pamplin, Arlene Schnitzer, Fred Stickel, and Charles Swindells.

Description

The watercolor painting measures 8.5 feet (2.6 m) by 4.5 feet (1.4 m) and depicts 54 prominent residents of the city during the 1990s,[1] and who "have played roles in modern Portland".[2] The Oregonian's Douglas Perry described the mural as "Portland's own version of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band LP cover".[1] People painted in the mural include:[1]

The Portlanders are gathered near the intersection of Southwest Broadway and Morrison Street, and several of the city's buildings are shown in the background,[3] including the Broadway Building, Hilton Portland Hotel, Jackson Tower, Nordstrom, Pioneer Courthouse, and the Standard Insurance Center.[2]

History

The mural was commissioned by Serge D'Rovencourt, a former manager of the Hilton Portland Hotel, and originally displayed in the hotel's restaurant, called Bistro 921, starting in 1995.[1] In 2014, the hotel and bistro were remodeled and the painting was donated to the Oregon Historical Society.[3] The work was displayed in the Oregon Historical Society Museum's North Wing Gallery in early 2015,[2][4] for was showcased again for one month in 2018.[1]

Reception

The Oregonian's John Killen called the painting "fun" and "fanciful",[3] and Douglas Perry said the mural was a "local favorite".[1]

See also

Reception

  1. ^ a b c d e f Perry, Douglas (March 14, 2018). "Iconic mural showcasing 1990s Portland luminaries is back: How many faces do you recognize?". The Oregonian. Advance Publications. ISSN 8750-1317. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Killen, John (January 12, 2015). "Painting of downtown Portland with famous residents donated to Oregon Historical Society". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on May 11, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Killen, John (January 15, 2015). "Portland painting: Who are those people in artwork donated to Oregon Historical Society? Check the key". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  4. ^ "Hilton's prominent people portrait on its way to historical society museum". Portland Tribune. Pamplin Media Group. January 14, 2015. OCLC 46708462. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2018.