Mexican muralist Daniel Manrique returns to McMaster this week to begin work on a new painting to hang in the McMaster University Student Centre.

Manrique has been commissioned to create a diptych – two canvases sized 10 feet by seven feet each – that will hang above the lower west entrance that links MUSC with Gilmour Hall, in close proximity to the University's council chambers.

The theme of the painting will be the human race and our responsibility for the planet.

“We're delighted that Mr. Manrique accepted our invitation to come to McMaster and create a painting that will be exhibited in our new student centre,” said Karen Belaire, vice-president administration. “This is a terrific opportunity for our students to see a muralist at work in a studio, benefit from his expertise and be exposed to his creativity.”

The University invited Manrique to return to campus to create a new painting when it was determined a mural he painted on a Togo Salmon Hall wall in 1981 would be too costly to move and could not be incorporated into the renovations for the new student pub, Quarters. Manrique understood the predicament and agreed to come back to campus to create a new work. The University is paying Manrique an honorarium for his work and covering his expenses while here.

Once he arrives Sept. 12 and art supplies are purchased, he will begin work on the painting in the art studio in Togo Salmon Hall Room 116.

When completed, the work will become part of McMaster University's permanent art collection, under the care of the McMaster Museum of Art .

In conjunction with Manrique's visit, there will be a viewing of a video titled Walls of Mexico that focuses on Mexican mural painting on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in TSH-114 (the New Space). Manrique, who speaks Spanish only, will participate with the aid of an interpreter in a question and answer session that will follow the viewing.

As well, there is a reception planned for Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. in the Council Chambers to celebrate the completion of the painting and allow Manrique to meet members of the McMaster and local artistic communities.