New Chris Johanson and Johanna Jackson work in Portland

Today whilst downtown I happened upon what I initially thought was a bit of street art randomly placed on the street, a lone piece of plywood with some really great faces painted on it. I snapped the pic below and went back around the block for another look and realized it was part of an installation taking up the entire block and immediately recognized it to be the work of Chris Johanson and Johanna Jackson. I knew that he was working on a mural project in town and made the connection. It was really great to see this project as it was being installed and seeing the smiling faces of people passing by noticing it. I talked a bit to the construction workers installing it and was happy to find out it was making them smile as well.

[ED. NOTE: Just found out more information about this project which makes it even MORE AWESOME from Chris’ assistant and project coordinator, Crystal Baxley:

Billions and Billions of People brought together professional artists and transitory youth to create a mural that highlights the diversity of life around us in a positive, creative way. Conceived of by internationally renowned artists Chris Johanson and Johanna Jackson and supported by TMT Development Company, the artists created a structure for the homeless and at-risk youth supported by New Avenues for Youth and Portland-based artists to come together to laugh, learn, paint, and share their energies to collaborate on this colorful creation. ]

This is Social Practice.