SUWANEE, Ga. | PCOM Georgia campus in Suwanee has unveiled a major new mural created by Atlanta-based graffiti artist and muralist Mr. Totem as part of the College’s 20th anniversary celebrations. The unveiling event featured remarks from faculty and the artist, before a lively public countdown revealed the new design. The new mural covers the entire wall of the indoor central gathering space of the campus.
Brian Mann, dean of the School of Health Professions and Sciences, says: “Mr. Totem’s work brings energy, depth, and color to our campus, inspiring students, staff and visitors alike. This visual masterpiece not only shows PCOM Georgia’s growth over the last 20 years, but also how art has the power to bring people together.”
The artist selection process spanned more than a year and drew submissions from over 79 artists nationwide who were vetted by PCOM Georgia’s art committee and various members of the campus community. Chosen for his bold use of color and 3-D effects that captivate viewers and foster community dialogue, Mr. Totem’s latest work reimagines the DNA ladder as a vibrant symbol of the College’s holistic, whole-person care philosophy.
Mr. Totem said at the unveiling: “The core element of the mural design is a DNA double helix. Along the DNA strand, it shows the progression of unlocking the mind, challenging the body and enlightening the spirit, exemplifying PCOM’s mission of caring for the whole person.”
Born and raised in Atlanta, Totem’s full name is Amir “Totem” Alighanbari. He now lives in Chamblee. He has traveled the world at the invitation of communities, event organizers, governments and more to share his skills, knowledge and creative process. Totem has applied paint to walls for more than 30 years. His style and technique are renowned worldwide, most notably for his pioneering 3-D style and artistic versatility.
Inspired by his life experience and the characters he’s met along the way, Totem’s art explores the relationship between robotic armored letters he calls the Mechanical Battle Serif.
From a young age, Totem has been fascinated by the engineering interactions of letters. What started out as an exploration of his own name, evolved into a study of the dynamics between his style and the environment, mind and machine.
Totem continues to elevate graffiti as an art form and bring street art to the mainstream. Personally, he strives to push the limits of his style and his abilities in every composition.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
