MURAL MAKERS

The Panther’s dream

Mural Artist: Nina Valkhoff
Artist Location: The Netherlands

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This mural is called ‘The Panther’s dream’, I made it last December 2024 in Miami, during Art basel. The location is Madison Middle School, where @awallmuralprojects organized for street artists to give a makeover to the school terrain.
I chose to paint animals that can be found in Florida: the Florida Panther and whales. It is a dream-like image of a panther daydreaming of whales; two completely different species connected by a sad reality of being endangered or almost extinct. I wanted the mural to look inspirational and positive for the school kids. You would have to know what it’s about to see it as a more serious mural, I like the first impression to be positive.

About the Mural:
Name:The Panther’s dream
Products used:
Golden Paintworks Mural & Theme
Location:
Miami, Florida, Madison Middle School

About the Maker

I am Nina Valkhoff, a muralist from the Netherlands. I have been painting walls for over 20 years now, and my career developed from landscapes and business logos to my own style. My murals and artworks center around flora and fauna, and can be described as dynamic, colorful, and positive. It is my goal to bring a sense of nature into the urban landscape, to make people feel good, and proud of where they live or work.

Are there any particular causes or messages you like to champion through your public art?

Even though at first my murals look like happy celebrations of nature, in reality I am trying to get a message across. Often I depict endangered species, or lesser known animals. By bringing them into people’s direct surroundings, I hope to create awareness about their existence. Maybe people will even treat animals better, once they start seeing them as a part of their own world. I call this very optimistic wish I have ‘subtile artivism’.

Do you have any other projects coming up that you’d like to share anything about?
Currently I am working on an exclusive art print for Pangeaseed, I am very excited because our missions align so well – the preservation of sea life, and protecting the oceans. Apart from that I am heading into my mural season of 2025, I have around 10 amazing walls lined up and waiting for me! I can’t wait to go back up in my boom lift again and bring some color and joy

This mural titled 'Lamento en la selva' is a cry for help for endangered species. I painted it for the world renowned STRAAT museum, the street art museum in Amsterdam. It was a big honor and great pleasure for me to be a part of their collection.

This mural with the fox is titled 'Ode to city nature' and was painted in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to highlight the fact that there are foxes in the city. It is a vibrant mural on a very busy spot, in the middle of the city centre.

This dog was painted for the Cheltenham Paint festival in England

This mural is titled 'on the list', and it shows three animals that are on the list of animals that can be hunted legally in Germany, where this mural is located. It is a very happy looking protest against hunting for pleasure.

This frog mural is inspired on sculptures that can be found on a historical building right next to this wall. I wanted the little decorative frogs to come to life!

See more of Nina Valkhoff’s work:
Website: ninavalkhoff.com
Instagram: @ninapelirroja

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