Eric B. Ricks
Mission: To build creative experiences that elevate social sublimity, instill love into the world and provide an opportunity for community conversation and imaginative exploration.
The Golden Rule 1.618
By ERIC RICKS
This collaborative mural represents the intersection where two worlds meet, radiating our shared passion for creativity. I’ve known my friend and collaborator Tim Cunningham for over fifteen years, and I feel fortunate to have inspired him to pursue his artistic passion as a career. While I have offered insights to help nurture his growth, he has also shared invaluable wisdom that has shaped my own development.
This natural exchange of ideas strengthens both our growth and our friendship.
At the center of the mural are interconnected strings, symbolizing the flow of insight and creative evolution. They weave together the eye of understanding, representing the idea that, in both learning and life, when each one teaches one, we all grow together.
My initial vision for my half of the mural was to celebrate Washington, D.C., its local color, and its vibrant community. The number “202” is featured prominently: the “2” sits proudly in its square, while the “0” takes the form of a delicate bubble that cradles the seed of life. Together, the Anise swallowtail butterfly and the Blue Jay represent unity, while they both symbolize the diverse spirit of Anacostia. The butterfly stands for the city’s ever-changing nature, as well as hope, endurance, and guidance. The Blue Jay, with its hat tilted, perches on the winding road of life, symbolizing family, communication, courage in the face of challenges, and protection.
All of this is framed within a shadow box, a space that preserves and displays what has been hard-earned, such as the wisdom of the soul and bittersweet memories. At the heart of the box lies a mandala, representing the spiritual journey of transformation—turning suffering into joy and realizing that inner peace leads to kindness and compassion. The mandala’s center symbolizes the individual, the second ring represents family—both biological and chosen—and the outer ring honors the community, with colors of black, red, and green paying tribute to Anacostia’s rich legacy.
Flowing from the center is a plumb line, symbolizing moral integrity, which distinguishes those who live with purpose and service to the community. In the bottom right corner, the book of love serves as a reminder to pass on these lessons to the next generation. The most revolutionary act we can engage in is love—first for ourselves, and then for the world around us
ARTIST INFO
By ERIC RICKS