About Our Murals

El Table is very grateful for the artistic vision of Wellesley students! Our location in the basement of Founders means that things are sometimes dreary on a cold winter day, but with a little paint, all of this changed.

Alyna O'Hanlon '07 and Melissa J. Woods '08 started this mural in Fall 2005 and completed it in Spring 2007. Alyna is an English major and art studio minor, and Mel J. is an art studio major. The wall had a mural on it from years before, with Hindu figures, rainbows, and alien-looking creatures playing cards. Alyna explains, "I think it was heavy on the conceptual side and not so well executed." But there was a note to future El Tablers that anyone could add to or change the picture, so they started brainstorming. After much discussion, Alyna and Mel J. decided to create a mural based on "Revenge of the Goldfish" by Sandy Skoglund. Skoglund was trained as a sculptor and installation artist and creates surreal, staged photographs. For more information about the artist, visit Skoglund's website. Alyna and Mel J. decided to create a café setting that looked like El Table, but with fantastical elements. Alyna notes, "I guess one of my hopes was that it would add to the El Table 'charm.' The old Hoop had lots of art and emotion on the wall. I wanted to step up our game." When asked to comment, Mel J. added: "Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana."

The mural on the opposite wall at El Table has less inspired beginnings. Perhaps someone had been studying communist propaganda or fast-food marketing; more likely, this work of art was formed simply out of the great communal unconscious of the El Table staff. On the last day of Spring 2007, El Tablers joined together to celebrate the end of classes and painted this masterpiece as it stands today. Faced by the problem of having a monster-sized sandwich hovering over El Table, Alison Carney '07 decided to add a shadowy figure to the base of the mural to proudly hold the sandwich. We can't say that this mural will be a permanent fixture at El Table, but for now, it demonstrates why some El Tablers make sandwiches instead of painting.

Created by: Anna K. Johns and Jen Feldman
Expires: 01 June 2008