Our Bonds
Nike asked for a personal story, full of bright colors, with a lot of movement and energy. The mural is about LeBron James and his appreciation to his mother, Glo, and they wanted to include their portraits. I did one mosaic of both of them when he was a little kid, in black and white, and another one in color when he was a grown man. I designed it then painted it in watercolor, on a 3 times smaller canvas as the project was too big to display. I wanted to make it more personal, so I asked if I could use any of his personal items to add into my mosaic. I was super excited to receive a box filled with LeBron James’ toys, trophies, and a medal.
The challenge was that the mural needed to be ready in 9 months. I had to hire 5 artists to make it in time. It was hard, especially during the pandemic, but it was also full of excitement.
My day job was guiding my team, ordering materials, solving problems, and making sure everyone was comfortable, and at night my shift went until 1 o’clock in the morning.
I had so much space to play with, so I created bas-relief elements that can be playful for the eye to see. I also used a lot of the stained glass that I’ve been collecting for years in my studio coming from Europe, Mexico, and other places. These glass pieces were amazingly beautiful with their swirls and mix of colors. The portraits were made mostly out of smalti glass.
I can’t fully express my thanks to the talented artists who helped me, including my husband, son, daughter, and daughter-in-law. I could have never finished it without them.
Because of Covid-19, the opening day was postponed many times, and my mural was unveiled after one full year. Only LeBron, his family, and the press were able to celebrate the opening of the building.
I was sad to not be present at the revealing of the mural, but it was an honor to read that my mural was the highlight of the building, and it was included in all the articles and press.
Site-Specific & Architectural Art Segment (Site-Specific Mosaic)
150 x 276 x 5
Materials List
Smalti, 24 karat gold smalti, stained glass,
LeBron’s childhood award, toys and trophies,
pebbles, beads, rocks, recycled glass, grout.
Installation Location
Glo’s Café, LeBron James Innovation Center at Nike World Headquarters, 15050 SW Koll Pkwy, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
Collaborating Artist/Fabrication Team
Carole Choucair Oueijan's Studio.
Collaborating artists: Nicolas Oueijan, Louise Wurzelbacher, Aya Kinoshita, Savannah Oueijan, Judyann Parker, Alice Oueijan
Tile Installer: Roedel Tile Contracting Co.
Artist Statement
Like the interlaced chords of a basketball hoop, our lives find purpose from the people and relationships that weave us together as one. Of all the loops and knots we braid into, no bond holds more steadfast than the connection between mother and son. Through its protective embrace, we find an open basket of selflessness and love. From the energy it radiates, we find the resiliency to overcome our greatest obstacles. Vibrant in color like the richness of this relationship, this mural flows with ambition and movement, surging with a swiftness that such a bond inspires. Emerging from the wall with volumetric undulations and motifs, the mosaics reach out in emotion as if unbound by the canvas of the wall. On the left, LeBron’s personal story and relationship – a lifelong commitment of inseparability and faith. On the right, the manifestation of their enduring connection and the symbol of aspirations of young people around the world – a basketball in masterful motion. We admire those who have reached the top. Here, we honor those who have helped them get there.
This mosaic is an homage to the dreams we share and the hope, love, and support of those who are with us along the way. As my largest work to date, standing at 12.5’ H x 23’ W and made from 100 puzzle pieces, this mural is a monumental achievement for me and everyone who contributed. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to not just pursue my dreams, but also reflect the same spirit of support this mural is all about back to me and everyone else that sees it.
