The artist behind an iconic mural in downtown Halifax says it is a “slap in the face” to learn his depiction of the city’s seafaring history may soon be replaced with a more contemporary artwork.
Fifteen years ago, Zack Rexhepi painted a massive mural of tall ships in Halifax Harbour on the side of a building on Barrington Street, across from the Grand Parade.
Having moved to Halifax with his family in 1999 after losing everything in the Kosovo War, Rexhepi recalls the hope he felt in painting it.
“The tall ship is, for me, a connection with community, with people here,” Rexhepi said on Friday.
He said his new life began when he was commissioned to paint the mural, but now the building’s new owners want to replace it.
Rexhepi found out through a post on social media.
“Slap in my face, you know? An established artist? I am an established artist from 1979, 1980,” he said.
Jeremy Smith, the building’s owner, said the current mural will find a good home.
He said Barrington Street is once again becoming a popular retail destination, and he wants new artwork to reflect that.
“We’re looking for something more contemporary, a little brighter, more large scale, so we want to cover the entire surface of the building,” Smith said.
Smith said he has been in discussions with an artist in British Columbia, but nothing has been finalized yet.
Passersby in downtown Halifax had mixed feelings about the news.
“This is a nice mural on its own and it’s been here for quite some time, but I think it sort of agrees with the shift that the whole city is taking, becoming more modern, more fun,” said one.
“There’s enough commercial logos everywhere as it is, and I think that screams ‘Halifax’, so I’d love to see it stay,” said another.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage was unavailable for comment on Friday.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Suzette Belliveau
