A striking new mural has appeared on a wall at the Porte d'Espagne commercial zone in Perpignan, France, capturing the attention of shoppers and passersby. The large-scale artwork, which spans 51 square meters, is strategically located on Chemin de Llaury between the Auchan and Boulanger stores, directly facing the children's playground area.
The impressive spray-painted mural was commissioned by Ceetrus, the company that owns the Auchan shopping center, and created by Vile, a Portuguese artist renowned for his trompe-l'œil techniques. The artwork serves as a vibrant celebration of the Pyrénées-Orientales department's most distinctive features and cultural landmarks.
"I started with monumental lettering, writing 'Perpinyà' in Catalan," Vile explained in an interview with ICI Roussillon radio. "Within each letter, I depicted a local theme." The artist's innovative approach creates the illusion that viewers can pass through the wall to discover the regional landscape, with each letter of "Perpinyà" containing a different local symbol including the Canigou mountain, rugby culture, the historic Castillet tower, and the famous Yellow Train.
The creation process proved challenging for the artist, who worked continuously for twenty-five days throughout August. Vile faced extreme weather conditions during the project, painting through both sweltering heat and rainy periods to complete the monumental piece.
Following the completion of this major public art project, Vile will showcase his works at La Distillerie art gallery in Torreilles starting September 11th. The artist has already begun planning his next local project – another mural directly across from the "Perpinyà" piece, located near the playground area beside Auchan. This upcoming work will cover an electrical shed, though the specific design and theme remain confidential for now.
