Origin / Stick Figure

Origin is a mural on the exterior wall by the Kido Care and Hotel Arts building in downtown Calgary. This vibrant public artwork, visible from the sidewalk and street, explores the timeless essence of human creativity through the collaboration of two persons from different eras.

On the left, a child in Paleolithic-era clothing stands before a cave wall adorned with ancient rock paintings, honoring the origins of mural art and humanity’s earliest creative expressions. On the right, a modern child draws with a permanent marker against a
backdrop of multicoloured children’s sketches. At the center, their shared stick figure—a universally recognizable and enduring symbol—bridges prehistory and the present, encapsulating humanity’s inherent drive to represent itself through art.

Origin reflects art’s role as a universal language that transcends time and culture. The mural’s monumental scale and contrasting palette command attention, while its accessible location transforms an ordinary wall into a dynamic space for cultural exchange. The simplicity of the central stick figure invites interpretation, engaging viewers of all ages and backgrounds in a shared dialogue.