Anchored by DAK1.NE (2015)

Location: 221 Broad St. - on the school campus

Anchored is part of a multi-artist mural series that embellished the “Cultural Corridor,” a courtyard between Classical and Central high schools. Anchored fits into a larger body of work by DAK.1NE in which he focuses on visual interpretations of his native Hawaiian culture and ancient stories with a modern approach. Here, DAK.1NE intertwines a sperm whale (representing Rhode Island) and a humpback whale (representing Hawaii) with their respective calves swimming in the depths of a dark blue ocean. The whales were chosen for the high school location because of their Hawaiian cultural significance as keepers of knowledge and guides who help boaters traveling between islands.

The mural itself seems to evoke water in its fluidity of colors and shapes. Rooted in traditional graffiti, DAK.1NE mixes his own colors, and selects the nozzles to create texture in the whale’s skin. He also included fluorescent paint in the whales so they glisten under LED lights. DAK.1NE explains his painting technique, “I get technical when it comes to the way I use the cans and buff, but when it comes to concept and stuff, I like to keep it as organic and free-flowing as I can. I just treat it like water and let it flow.” Local high school students were invited to dip their hands in paint and leave their handprints as an underlayer that creates texture within the mural and incorporates them into the work as part of the story.

Material: C2 Paint, Montana Gold Spray Paint

Artist IG: @dakine.dak1ne

Special thanks to: Classical High School, Central High School

~TAKE A CLOSER LOOK~

What are the different types of animals pictured in this artwork?

Can you name the different species of whale and where they are found in the world?

The artist is from Hawai’i and depicts visual interpretations of his native culture and ancient stories in this piece. Can you identify those elements?

Whales are known as keepers of knowledge and as guides who help boaters traveling between islands. Can you imagine why the artist would place whales in a mural in this particular environment? What is he saying about what happens here?