KNOXWALLS
AT EMORY PLACE
Scroll down to learn more about the participating artists.
OREL BRODT
Knoxville, TN
Orel Brodt is a young upcoming artist with in-depth experience in fashion, textiles, and color. In her work, Orel takes the threads and fabrics from her design world, translating them into strong brush strokes and weaves them together with bold, bright, exuberant colors that express the many layers truly consisting of the human spirit.​
From Orel Brodt’s work with fashion houses such as Robert Graham, Oscar De La Renta, Viktor and Rolf, and Panos Yiappanis, to presentations in Amsterdam, London, Tel-Aviv, and New York City, she uses her art skills with movement and shapes.
As an artist, I strive to embody the enthusiasm, patience, and creativity that I display through my large scale mural work. I believe that it is extremely important to ensure that the youth in our communities strive to become whatever they set their minds to. I am interested and skilled in working on diverse projects in communities throughout the world. I strive to construct murals that have meaning and show emphasis on subject matter while captivating public viewers. I am confident that my contemporary works will revitalize and create a source of pride for the communities, in which they are displayed, ultimately strengthening their sense of connection.
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As a muralist, I strive to create works of art that not only brighten up public spaces, but also tell stories and inspire viewers. My murals are more than just paintings on walls, they are a testament to the power of art to transform urban landscapes and bring people together. I believe that art should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. This aspect of creating murals gives me motivation to take part in beautifying all types of environments. I aim to create designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also relevant and meaningful to the community or client. My creative process always begins with extensive research and development of the mural’s concept.
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There is an ever-evolving challenge with each new wall, and this aspect invigorates my work. I’m constantly stimulated by the challenge of creating new ideas and messages through my murals. Whether it’s a vibrant collage of faces and shapes, or a poignant tribute to a popular figure or company, I always strive to make each piece reflective of the core concept. I am passionate about using my art to create a positive impact for viewers in hopes that they can connect with the art. Above all, I hope to inspire people to see the beauty and potential of their neighborhoods, businesses, and communities. In sum, I hope to encourage the embrace of creativity and imagination as vehicles for positive change within each viewer.
Thomas Evans, a.k.a. Detour, is an all-around creative specializing in large scale public art, interactive visuals, portraiture, immersive spaces, and creative directing. His focus is to create work where art and innovation meet. A born collaborator and “military brat,” Detour pulls from every conceivable experience that shapes his landscapes and perspectives. Explaining Detour’s work is no easy task, as ongoing experimentations in visual art, music, and interactive technologies have his practice continually expanding. With his ever-evolving approach to art, Detour’s focus is on expanding customary views of creativity and challenging fine-art paradigms by mixing traditional mediums with new approaches—all the while opening up the creative process from that of a singular artist, to one that thrives on multi-layered collaboration and viewer participation.
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