Café Tromp L’oeil
2008- John Pugh
New Lindsay Library (to open, Spring 2008)- 152 N. Mirage
This mural began its life in San Jose, California in a café called the Café Trompe L’oeil. When the café closed in 2006, the mural needed a new home and the driving force behind the Lindsay mural society Bill Drennen, quickly arranged to procure this world-class mural for his mural town. The title illustrates the depth to which this mural explores the oft-used conundrum “does art imitate life”. To a master illusionary room Pugh adds layers of narrative elements to create a deeper dimension of reality which coincidentally actually heightens and strengthens the illusionary effect. For example: the girl seated in the mural is in a similar pose to those real customers and at the same time is posed in a like manner to the French statue next to her. This mural is a real coup for Lindsay and a superb addition to their mural collection.
Café Trompe L’oeil will continue its magic of illusion in the new Lindsay Public Library. The installation of this wonderful mural started May 1, 2008. The following images record the process of providing a new home for this masterpiece.
Vice President of Lindsay Mural Society Bill Drennen walks toward the nearly completed new Lindsay Library.
Trompe L’oeil muralist John Pugh checks out the west wall where his mural will be installed.
John Pugh and John Komives, Cons. Foreman, talk about the installation. A City worker helps.
The mural panels are now installed. The next part will be the bricking of the surrounding walls.
City Construction Supervisor Bert Garzelli checks the brickwork of the previous installation of “Café” as shown in the John Pugh mural book published by Kevin Bruce.
A side shot of the right side of the mural shows the thickness of the mural and the spacing holding it on the wall.
After much searching the perfect match to the mural bricks were found and ordered.
David Hernandez and John Komives work to cement the real brick so it matches the spacing on the mural bricks.
The brick facade is almost completed. David asks “can you tell where the mural ends and the real bricks start?”
Here is closeup of the mural edge and the real bricks... now, can you tell?
Tools of the trade set the stage for the final retouch of Café. Master muralist John Pugh took time and care to cover over the marks made in the mural as it was reinstalled in its new home.
John gives the viewer an aside glance. His efforts to attract the gal reader brings no response. Even Isus the cat does not stray from his step on the stairs.