A little girl lies dreaming in a golden daylily sea; Artist Seven’s four colorful murals showcase Taiwan’s charm

▲ The wall of Ruimei Elementary School in Hualien has been brightened by Seven’s murals, making the school exterior less monotonous. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Reporter Cai Wenjun / Hualien Reporting

“I know paintings can’t change the world, but I hope my creations can bring joy to people.” French street artistSeven (Julien Malland Seth)was invited to Taiwan to paint at three elementary schools in Hsinchu, Taitung, and Hualien. He even added an extra piece on the spot after falling in love with the stunning view of the golden daylily fields on Liushishi Mountain in Hualien. On the 26th, he finished his last mural at Ruimei Elementary School in Hualien. Seven said he hopes these four works can deliver color and love to the audience while drawing renewed attention to Taiwan’s traditional culture.

▲ The globally renowned French mural artist “Seven” Julien Malland Seth. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Invited by the L’Oréal Group’s “Colorful Communities” initiative, Seven visited Taiwan for the first time, spending two weeks traveling to Hsinchu, Taitung, and Hualien to create murals on elementary school walls. Seven said every day in Taiwan brought new surprises—not only the local hospitality and diverse indigenous cultures, but also how three geographically close regions presented vastly different cultural styles and landscapes, which left him amazed.

This series of artworks specially incorporates local characteristics. Seven noted that this not only showcases local culture but also aims to use his paintings to renew public interest in traditional culture, allowing tradition and modernity to coexist harmoniously.

▲ Wu Jialun, Director of CSR, Public Relations, and Corporate Brand Communication for L’Oréal Group Asia Pacific. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Wu Jialun, Director of CSR, Public Relations, and Corporate Brand Communication for L’Oréal Group Asia Pacific, also shared why she chose to collaborate with Seven. In 2014, Seven created over ten large-scale murals in an old urban ruin in Shanghai’s Kangding Road that was slated for demolition. She was personally moved by his care for the local culture and has been deeply touched ever since, which is why she wanted more people to see his art.

Additionally, most of Seven’s works focus on children and incorporate local culture, aligning perfectly with the goals of the “Colorful Communities” project. That’s why he was invited to create murals for three elementary schools in Taiwan. Wu Jialun also mentioned that by beautifying schools through this initiative, children become more eager to attend, which in turn strengthens art education and uses color and art to inspire their creativity and hope.

▲ Inspired by the beautiful golden daylily fields on Liushishi Mountain in Hualien, Seven spontaneously added an extra mural. (Photo / Provided by L’Oréal Group)

In addition to the three originally planned murals at Jinping Elementary School in Hsinchu, Wan’an Elementary School in Taitung, and Ruimei Elementary School in Hualien, Seven found inspiration in the stunning golden daylily seascape on Liushishi Mountain in Hualien. With the landowner’s permission, he spent a day painting The Girl Dreaming on a Golden Daylily Sea on a water tower, adding a splash of vibrant color to the golden fields.