WEST SEATTLE ART: New signal-box mural in The Junction

Thanks to the West Seattle Junction Association for the photo of the newest signal-box mural by West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen – this one is a sort of dual tribute, for women in trades as well as the West Seattle Bridge. WSJA also sent the photo that inspired it:

WSJA executive director Lora Radford was looking into the history; via an online image search, we note that it was featured at her former business Hotwire Online Coffeehouse in a collaboration with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society in 2014, the year the now-closed bridge marked its 30th anniversary.

P.S. The signal box is Hansen’s third in The Junction this summer, after Black Lives Matter at 42nd and Alaska and the Progress Flag at California/Oregon.

West Seattle Hipster July 21, 2020 (11:48 am)

Desmond Hansen is a West Seattle treasure and an amazing artist.

Vanessa July 21, 2020 (6:48 pm)

Agreed! I love seeing Desmond Hansen’s artistic contributions around town.

Engineer bob July 21, 2020 (12:22 pm)

Why are we tributing a bridge that is crumbling under its own weight?

Kris July 21, 2020 (1:23 pm)

I see it as a symbol of adversity that we will all come together as a community to overcome. Such a great piece of art!!
AT July 21, 2020 (1:24 pm)

It was good while it lasted.
T Rex July 21, 2020 (1:24 pm)

I think it is more of a tribute to the woman or women who worked on helping to build that bridge. And timing, yes it is falling apart but at the time, watching that bridge go up was pretty amazing.
Brian July 21, 2020 (2:44 pm)

It’s a tribute to labor, specifically women in trades. It’s important.
KM July 21, 2020 (3:37 pm)

James Cameron never made a movie about a boat that was in service for several decades and retired peacefully. (And luckily or unluckily, depending on if you were a movie watcher or passenger, there was no opportunity for a sequel.)
Matt P July 21, 2020 (6:50 pm)

Improper maintenance is leading to the bridge problems.
- Jethro Marx July 21, 2020 (10:43 pm)
  
  Why do you say that? Are you talking about the locked bearing? Are you just speculating?
KBear July 22, 2020 (10:54 am)

The bridge has been an important part of life in West Seattle for 4 decades and will continue to be. Why WOULDN’T you commemorate it in a painting?

Brian July 21, 2020 (12:31 pm)

That looks so good! Very impressed by all his work.

DB40 July 21, 2020 (3:38 pm)

Couldn’t another example of women in the trades be exemplified besides a failed bridge?
- KBear July 22, 2020 (10:57 am)
  
  It’s a great photo with historic significance. If you have a better idea, why don’t you make your own painting?