muralist

A muralist is an artist who creates murals, large-scale paintings or designs applied directly to walls, ceilings, or other permanent surfaces. The term covers practitioners working in a range of styles and contexts, from traditional fresco-based painting to contemporary public art and city-sponsored projects. Murals are often designed for public display and may involve collaboration with communities, institutions, or local governments.

Techniques and materials used by muralists vary. Surfaces can be prepared plaster, lime-based walls, drywall, or existing structures. Traditional methods include buon fresco and fresco secco, while modern practices frequently use acrylics, latex paints, or mixed media. Some murals are created in sections and installed, or reproduced from digital designs, depending on site conditions and longevity requirements.

History and scope have shaped the muralist’s role. Mural painting has ancient and medieval antecedents, but the 20th century saw a surge of publicly funded mural programs, notably in Mexico with Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros, who used large wall works to convey social and political messages. In the late 20th and 21st centuries, muralists expanded into urban and community contexts, with street art and local government commissions broadening the reach and styles of public wall painting. Contemporary muralists may operate within galleries, public spaces, or interdisciplinary collaborations.

Practice and impact: modern muralists often engage communities in planning imagery that reflects local history and culture, handling design development, surface preparation, permissions, funding, and preservation. Notable figures include Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros, Judy Baca, Banksy, and Shepard Fairey, illustrating a spectrum from traditional public art to global street muralism.