1xRUN alum Meggs has been on tear as of late with new murals and is showing no signs of slowing up any time soon. The Aussie recently knocked out two massive walls in North Beach and Oakland in one week, redecorating the Bay Area. 1xRUN Contributing Writer & Photographer Miya Tsukazaki caught up with Meggs to get the low down on his latest walls…
‘The Swallow a.k.a. Save Our Souls’ is located on 1 Rowland St. in North Beach. The mural references both tattoo culture and illustration that has influenced Meggs throughout his career as an artist. “Traditionally, sailor tattoos using the swallow image represent safe passage and time spent at sea,” he says. This wall is Meggs’ homage to the maritime tattoo culture of the Bay Area and represents fond memories of San Francisco, a place he considers a home away from home. This wall was made possible by Rocha Gallery (@rocha.art).
Detail Of Meggs In North Beach
Meggs In North Beach
In addition to his North Beach wall, Meggs left his mark on the city across the bridge, Oakland. The mural, titled ‘Roots Run Deep,’ features a split image of a woman and a wolf. The wolf references Jack London literature, a nod to the surrounding area where the wall is located. Overall, the piece is meant to remind everyone of the inspiring past, present, and future faces of Oakland. It celebrates that a city, with a balance of hardship and civic pride, is now opening up to a new world of opportunity and creative culture in the area. This mural is a prime example of the bubbling, innovative energy that is consuming Oakland.
This wall was provided by Mr. Espresso (@oakwoodroasted) and is located on the outside of their Oakland warehouse at 696 3rd St. on the corner of 3rd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. St. The wall was made possible by Athen B. Gallery (@athenbgallery), who arranged for Meggs to paint it as part of House Warming, the grand opening of their gallery, located at 1525 Webster St. in Oakland.
Meggs In Oakland
Meggs In Oakland
-1xRUN
Words & photos by 1xRUN Contributing Writer & Photographer Miya Tsukazaki – follow her @miyaeuca
Additional photos by Brock Brake