Street Art and Mental Health

Background

In modern urban design, colour is an aesthetic choice. At the same time, it is also a meaningful way to improve mental health. Street art can beautify the urban environment through colourful murals, subtly lift residents’ moods, and improve the community’s mental health.

Basics of Colour Psychology

Colour psychology research shows that different colours affect people’s emotions and psychological states. For example, warm colours, such as red and yellow. They often make people feel warm and excited, helping to stimulate energy and positive emotions. While cool colours, such as blue and green, can make people feel calm and relaxed, relieve stress and anxiety (Mehta & Zhu, 2009). Therefore, the rational use of these colours in street art design can effectively improve the emotional state of community residents.

Figure1: Combination of blue and red (Stuart Davis, 1955)

The Emotional Expression of Murals

As a form of public art, murals can convey positive emotions through different patterns and themes in addition to colour. A mural depicting a famous local figure can make people feel respect for him in the city and feel the community’s cohesion.

Bristol’s “City of Murals”

Bristol is known as the “Mural City” in the UK and is famous for its street art culture. Bristol’s street art can be found throughout the city and forms an important part of urban design. The murals here are colourful and varied in style. The well-known street artist Banksy began his artistic career in Bristol (Ellsworth-Jones, 2012). We can see his works in many corners of the city.They have become one of the treasures. Residents and tourists are keen to find them.

Figure2: Bansky Mural in Bristol ( Rice,2003)

Murals in Bristol are a medium for artistic display and an essential means of social and political expression. Many murals reflect current social issues such as environmental protection, racial tensions and political protests (Davies, 2006). The annual Upfest street art festival attracts artists from all over the world to create and showcase their creative works. This festival not only provides artists with a platform to showcase their talents but also provides audiences with the opportunity to interact with artists. In addition, Bristol community residents also actively participated in creating murals, beautifying the community environment through public art projects and enhancing residents’ sense of belonging and community cohesion (Lewisohn, 2008). This art form enhances the city’s cultural scene and boosts tourism, making Bristol a gathering place for street art enthusiasts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when designing a mural, colour choice is crucial. The mural’s theme should be positivity, hope, and unity, and overly negative elements should be avoided. By conveying positive information, you can lift the mood of community residents and enhance their mental health. Encouraging community residents to participate in the design and creation process of murals can improve their sense of participation and belonging and the cohesion of the community. Art projects with community participation often achieve better social and psychological results. After the mural is completed, it requires regular maintenance and repairs to ensure its beauty and integrity. With continued attention and maintenance, murals’ positive impact can continue, and the community environment can remain vibrant.