

yusuke asai covers a classroom in maharashtra with a painted mud mural

(above) ‘sprouting life in the forest-fatherly tree, motherly mountain’

soil, water, acrylic paint / 780cm x 650cm x 300cm (all walls and ceiling of a classroom)

for the 2014 edition of the wall art festival in india, japanese artist yusuke asai has covered a primary school classroom in maharashtra in an intricate and hypnotizing mural made with mud. using water and soil from the surrounding site, asai and a team of over 50 local and international volunteers painted the ceiling and walls in a rich and expressive artwork called ‘sprouting life in the forest-fatherly tree, motherly mountain’.



children stand in their newly painted classroom

a bright blue hue serves as the background for the bronze-colored paints applied to the walls. various motifs and symbols from animals to people are abstractly illustrated in whimsical and dramatic compositions throughout the space. the students will see the process of the artists at the school where they study, bringing them closer to creativity and their community. the annual event is co-organized by the japan foundation which aims to form bonds between india and japan and art by supporting and nurturing cross cultural exchange.

the ceiling and walls are completely canvassed in the mud paint

a bright blue serves as the backdrop for the painting

tree motifs, animals and symbols are painted on the walls

over 50 volunteers participated in creating the artwork

animals painted onto the walls

expressive characters are some of the motifs that surround the classroom

the team of volunteers, working on the painting

the artist paints with the help of local children

asai works on his painted piece