MR. ROBERT DAFFORD
2017 Recipient
International Achievement Award
This year we honor one of the world’s most famous and prolific muralists, Robert Dafford.
Robert’s murals grace the interior and exterior walls of commercial and government buildings, churches and hotels in 26 cities and span 5 countries. Articles featuring his art have appeared in National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine and The New York Times.
Robert’s brush strokes breathe with a life-like accuracy and animation. Sometimes serious, they turn thousands of feet of unattractive floodwalls into a living historical narrative. His murals of the Grand Dérangement, the Acadian Exile, depict a well-researched and heartfelt mission.
Other times, the works are whimsical, such as the 18-story clarinet, honoring Jazz, depicted on the New Orleans Holiday Inn or the downtown Lafayette Ex-Garage, the hub caps and tail fins fresco, a landmark for our Artwalks and festivals.
Robert painted the Horizon flying violin in 1988, to coincide with the first FIL. He became inspired to create 5 additional murals and gift them to our sister cities in France, Belgium, Canada and England. The Lafayette International Center and Mayor Lastrapes encouraged and supported this ingenious project, and our sister cities were overjoyed with Lafayette’s unique artistic gifts. These murals provide a visual connection, representing music passing through the walls of politics, finance, culture and language. This Cajun fiddle has, literally, been flying around the world, highlighting our region, culture, and music and leaving a message to visit us and engage in business.
Robert’s newest mural series is Lafayette, Who We are and Where We Live, painted onto the walls of the Lafayette City Hall. Looking intently at these works of art actually places one into these spectacular 3-D images. Dafford’s murals attract visitors, instill civic pride and create economic enhancement.
Robert’s art uses walls as his canvas and his vibrant brush creates walk into scenes. His work displays a brilliant talent that will be enduringly treasured. How fortunate we are here, in Acadiana, to call him our own.
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