Above, see the mural being made by @risingredlotus @theantoniodarden @yoyocam. Follow them on Instagram.
You have probably already seen his murals. A gorgeous black circle of golden koi under the bridge by Piedmont Park. The phoenix-like mural on North Ave, under the bridge by Ponce City Market. Another one in the film "Black Panther." A gigantic mural at Trilith Studios.
And now, Rising Red Lotus, aka Brandon Sadler, is finishing a vibrant new mural that replaces the one on North Avenue. Taking up both sides of the street, it represents the four seasons, Brandon says. The mural is another installation of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine and his third in this location.
On his Instagram account, he writes: "I've worked with @atlantabeltline almost every year since 2012. For this year's exhibition I chose to bring back a character I've featured in past murals and expand the story using the space of an entire underpass on both sides of the street. When you walk through the tunnel you'll be surrounded by color and movement. In short, the character Abhiya is shown going through the seasons and navigating the life challenges/lessons they present. "
According to a description from Art on the Atlanta BeltLine: "Abhiya is an otherworldly character full of nature’s power that appears during moments of transition, challenge, and transformation. She comes during these times to encourage and empower us to face whatever we may be experiencing in our individual lives and in society."
The scene starts with fall, with transformation. The character Abhiya is being reborn.
Then winter, when "The rain quenches the blaze, making the soil fertile again." A brilliant pink lotus is being nourished.
With spring, Abihya emerges reborn.
And then summer, going up on the other side of the street.
Brandon is influenced by Asian calligraphy and culture, after living in South Korea. He is sought after by corporate brands - including Marvel Studios, Disney, Adidas, and Google - and his work has been collected by the High Museum of Art.
Check out his new mural under the Atlanta BeltLine. You can get there from the BeltLine by taking the stairs next to the North Avenue bridge, or exit Ponce City Market to the street and it's under the bridge on the left.
Above, @theantoniodarden, left, and @yoyocam assist Brandon in painting the mural.
An Atlanta native, Nicole Gustin is the Founder & CEO of BiteLines, which offers walking food tours on the Atlanta BeltLine. She considers the BeltLine her backyard, and is excited to see how Atlanta is reinventing itself. The BiteLines blog features art, restaurants, happenings and weirdness on the Atlanta BeltLine. Share story ideas and pics at: contact@bitelines.com. Or follow on Instagram @bitelinesatl.
Note: We have paused our tours during the pandemic, but will ramp up again as soon as it’s safe.