DALeast’s New Orange Line Mural

If you’re heading east across the Rhine–Lafayette pedestrian bridge in industrial Southeast Portland, keep an eye out for a large bird.

Or, more accurately, a hawk-like space-travel bio-vehicle.

That’s what celebrated artist DALeast suggests is at the center of his latest work, a stunning mural on the side of our new maintenance building on SE 20th Avenue.

Against a midnight background, electric blue streaks of spray paint suggest an avian form. To the right, we see a magnificent burst of white light; to the left, perhaps a red dwarf star.

The mural feels at once peaceful and alive, simple and expansive. As for what it means, DALeast would much rather let you draw your own conclusion.

The spectacular piece is the final public art project associated with the nearby Orange Line, which runs right through the site of our previous facilities maintenance building.

The new 10,000-square-foot facility is currently being renovated to include new workspaces, a media-enabled training room and more. So it’s fitting that on the outside, the blank expanse of wall facing 20th Avenue got a makeover, too.

We’re thrilled with the new mural, and for the chance to breathe life into a formerly nondescript industrial site.

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