Popular street artist and viral sensation Kelsey Montague has been commissioned by real estate property management company Macerich to design and produce unique works of art at its shopping centers in the Phoenix metro area. Macerich is committed to bringing a rich variety of new experiences to guests at its top retail properties across the country, and now more than ever, this includes compelling artworks like Kelsey's. Scottsdale Fashion Square is fortunate to unveil her first piece inspired by the colors and drama of the Arizona desert with a Phoenix rising.
"For all of the pieces I'm doing for Macerich in Arizona, I was really inspired by the vibrant colors of the desert. I want each of my pieces to reflect how I interpret the sunsets and landscape here in the Southwest," Kelsey says.
She says she wants to make sure each piece contains a few smaller images that reflect the community and Arizona in general.
"I hope that each community in which I create a piece feels like the piece represents them and becomes a mural they love."
Kelsey creates large-scale, interactive street murals around the world, each piece providing an opportunity for people to become a "living work of art." Participants are encouraged to post pictures with the work on social media under the hashtag #whatliftsyou. She even took this phrase to another level with a series of two adult coloring books entitled What Lifts You and What Lifts Your Heart. Her work has been featured by Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Smithsonian and Good Morning America. She has more than 80,000 Instagram followers, whom she encourages to explore how art can—and should—weave itself into their daily lives.
