Flyover transformed into street artwork

The 316-meter flyover along General Luna St. in City Proper, Iloilo City has transformed into an artwork after Ilonggo artists adorned the flyover with murals of tourist spots and famous landmarks in the city.

The flyover, which was initially painted with rainbow colors in celebration of the Pride Month last June, was again adorned with creative murals painted on 16 posts.

The murals featured the Molo Plaza, Calle Real and other tourist spots and landmarks in the metro. These vibrant masterpieces were creations of the Baysulangpu Artists Society, a group of Ilonggo artists.

Mayor Jerry Treñas said the project is among the many projects that they initiated with the private sector to help Ilonggos, particularly visual artists who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

“COVID-19 pandemic has placed our economy into a near-standstill, and amid the pandemonium and devastation caused by this crisis, I have seen how my people were affected and lost their jobs including some of the visual artists. The Baysulangpu Artists Society is one of the many Ilonggos who have lost their jobs because of this pandemic,” Treñas said in a statement in his social media page.

The mayor said he has partnered with Boysen Philippines to help provide jobs to Ilonggo artists and help in promoting street art in the metro.

“To help them recover, together with Boysen Philippines we initiated some projects that can alleviate their burden in these times of distress, and at the same time, they can also help us transform blank walls and posts into beautiful murals. I am excited to see the outcome of their masterpiece as they precisely painted my dreams of making Iloilo City adorned with colorful and beautiful murals,” he said.

Baysulangpu Artists Society is finishing the flyover murals.

Treñas has been promoting street art in the metro with the Iloilo City government partnering with Ilonggo artists to transform walls and public places in the metro into murals.

Murals depicting the city’s rich history can be seen at the Muelley Loney in City Proper and other parts of the metro. The city government has also transformed several plain bridges in the metro into colorful art works. (ERS)