Elaine Chu was born and raised in San Francisco. She graduated from the School of the Arts Highschool and continued to study drawing, painting and art history at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. After graduating in 2004 she spent many years traveling and living in Philadelphia and New Orleans where she met a variety of artists that inspired her and continue to influence her work. In 2005 Elaine joined the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program while living in Philadelphia and worked as a mural artist and teaching artist. When she returned home to San Francisco in 2011 she began working for Precita Eyes Mural Arts Association, training and inspiring her development as an artist under the guidance and mentorship of its founder, master muralist Susan Cervantes. For over a decade she has worked at Precita Eyes Mural Arts Association as the Director’s assistant, a teaching artist and as a muralist. Having worked with many diverse communities, she loves the challenge of collaborating with a group of people to bring their unified vision together on a monumental scale. Elaine is also the co-founder of the mural collaborative Twin Walls Mural Company alongside her best friend Marina Perez-Wong. Since 2013 they have painted over 30 murals together with various communities in the San Francisco Bay Area which include murals in, SFMOMA, Asian Art Museum, Chinese Historical Society of America, Twitter HQ among many others.Their murals are brightly colored and semi realistic, using symbology related to nature, women, spirituality, justice and community to manifest changes they wish to see in the world. Inspired by a long history of amazing women muralists in the San Francisco Bay Area, Elaine aims to continue to inspire other young artists to become future muralists.
Education
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
Graduated 2004, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, Minor in Art History
School of the Arts High School, San Francisco, CA
Graduated 2000
Work Experience
Twin Walls Mural Company, Co- Founder, Muralist
San Francisco, CA August 2013-present
Precita Eyes Mural Arts Organization, Community Muralist, Administrative Assistant
San Francisco, CA December 2009- present
Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Muralist, Teacher
Philadelphia, PA Summer 2005- Summer 2006
Murals
“Our Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams”, ©2020 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina Perez-Wong and assisted by Priya Handa and Lisa Max with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 3rd Street, San Francisco CA, 12’x46’, Acrylic and Parachute cloth on MDO panels
“Ascendance” © 2020 Community Rejuvenation Project, Assisted lead artist and designer Desi Mundo with Priya Handa, Marina Perez- Wong and Lisa Max. Greenlining Institute, 360 14th Street, Oakland CA, 50’x91’, Acrylic on Stucco
“Shut It Down” ©2020 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina Perez- Wong in support of Black Lives Matter, 8’x 8’, Acrylic on Panels
“Protectors of the Sacred. A Prayer for Buffalo Nation, ©2020 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina- Perez- Wong for Paint the Void. 1210 Valencia Street, San Francisco CA, 8’x32’, Acrylic on Panels
“Goddesses and the Art of Compassionate Wrath”, ©2020 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina- Perez-Wong, concept collaboration with Marie- Applegate-Swanson at the Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco CA, (2) 8’x30’ Acrylic on MDO Panels
“The Rebirth of Coyolxauhqui”, ©2020 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina Perez- Wong. Sponsored and funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission Street SmARTs program and Intersection for the Arts. 10’x30’, 18th and Valencia Streets, San Francisco CA, Acrylic on brick
“Panorama Is”, ©2019 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina Perez- Wong with the Alemany Housing community and Bridge Housing Corporation. Assisted by Diego Irizarry and Pablo Ruiz. 5’-15’x70’, 937 Ellsworth Street, San Francisco, Acrylic and Parachute cloth on stucco
“The Bay” ©2019 Precita Eyes Muralists. Designed and fabricated in collaboration with Susan Cervantes, Suaro Cervantes, Eli Lippert, Fred Alvarado, Marina Perez- Wong, Yuka Ezoe ,Max Marttila and Max Allbee. 12’x40’ Chase Center- Golden State Warriors Stadium, 500 Terry A Francois Blvd, Suite 73 San Francisco CA, Mosaic, Painted Ceramic Tile, glass and mirror
“150 Years of Compassionate, Dedicated Service to the Community”, (Phase 3) © 2019 Precita Eyes Muralists, Directed and painted in collaboration with Yukako Ezoe and Laguna Honda Hospital. 375 Laguna Honda Blvd, San Francisco CA 94116, 5’x200’, Acrylic on Stucco
“Tenderloin Stay Rooted”, © 2018 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina Perez- Wong with CounterPulse staff and residents in the Tenderloin. 80 Turk Street, San Francisco CA, 8’x200’, Acrylic on Parachute Cloth installed on wood panels
Justice for Luis Gongora, ©2018 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina Perez- Wong and Clarion Alley Mural Project, Clarion Alley, San Francisco CA, 10’x15’, Acrylic on Stucco
“She Inspires Me: Bringing Her to Light” © 2018 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina Perez- Wong for Twitter HQ, 1355 Market Street, #900 San Francisco CA , 10’x40’, Acrylic on Stucco
“150 Years of Compassionate, Dedicated Service to the Community”, (Phase 2) © 2017 Precita Eyes, Directed and painted in collaboration with Yukako Ezoe and Laguna Honda Hospital. 375 Laguna Honda Blvd, San Francisco CA 94116, 5’x160’, Acrylic on Stucco
“希望,Hope, Act, The Fight For Freedom”, ©2017 Twin Walls Mural Company, Designed and painted in collaboration with Marina Perez- Wong with Chevalier Partners and Interstice Architects. Sponsored by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development and Lower Polk Neighbor’s Association, Hemlock Alley, San Francisco CA, 25’x15’, Acrylic on Stucco
“ We are All Streams Leading to the Same River/ Todos Somos Arroyos Del Mismo Rio”, ©2016 Precita Eyes, Directed and painted in collaboration with Susan Cervantes, Suaro Cervantes and Fred Alvarado. Latino Student Cultural Center at Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston MA, 25’x125’, Acrylic on Stucco
“150 Years of Compassionate, Dedicated Service to the Community”, (Phase 1) © 2015 Precita Eyes, Directed and painted in collaboration with Yukako Ezoe and Laguna Honda Hospital. 375 Laguna Honda Blvd, San Francisco CA 94116, 5’x200’, Acrylic on Stucco
“La Flor de la Vida”, ©2015 Twin Walls Mural Company, Painted in collaboration with Marina- Perez- Wong, 25th Street between Valencia Street and Bartlett Street, 16’x30’, Acrylic on Stucco
“Recovery, Wellness and Health”, ©2015 Precita Eyes, Directed and painted by Susan Cervantes, Yukako Ezoe, Elaine Chu and assisted by Suaro Cervantes in collaboration with the SFGH Psychiatric Dept staff and patients. (3) 10’x 15’, San Francisco General Hospital, SF CA, Acrylic on Stucco
SFPL Pop Up Project, ©2013 Precita Eyes, Painted in collaboration with Yukako Ezoe and SFPL, Faithful Fools Ministry and the Tenderloin Community. 100 Larkin St, SF CA. 3 5’x9’ Acrylic Tyvek instant murals and Acrylic on a vinyl pop up canopy structure 10’x10’.
“Koi, La Mission”, ©2013 Twin Walls Mural Company, Painted in collaboration with Marina Perez- Wong, 24th Street and Potrero Streets, 16’x50’, Acrylic on Stucco
“Celebrating our Richmond- Past and Present”, ©2013 Precita Eyes, Directed by Elaine Chu and Yukako Ezoe in collaboration with the Argonne Elementary School, staff, parents, and 88 3rd grade students. 680 18th St, SF CA 25’x53’, Acrylic on Stucco.
“Pages of Knowledge”, © 2013 Precita Eyes, Directed by Susan Cervantes with Dan Machiarrini, Suaro Cervantes, Marina Perez-Wong, Elaine Chu and Missy Ablin. Bernal Heights Library, SF CA.
“The Past, Present and Future”, ©2011 Precita Eyes Muralists, Painted in collaboration with Marina Perez-Wong. Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, 900 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA
“100 Years of Serving Youth”, 2010, Chinatown YMCA, San Francisco, CA, Assistant Muralist for lead artist Susan Cervantes and Precita Eyes Muralists
“Celebrando Nuestra Communidad”, 2006, 5th and Somerset, Philadelphia, PA, Assistant Muralist for lead artist Jason Slowik and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.
“Urban Horseman Mural”, 2005, 322 West Montgomery Ave, Philadelphia, PA, Assistant Muralist for lead artist Jason Slowik and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.
Private and Commercial Commissions
“Chewie, We’re Home” ©2021 Twin Walls Mural Company, Holly Park and Park Streets, San Francisco CA, 1’-8’x 30’
Untitled ©2021 Elaine Chu, John Muir Behavior Health Center, 2740 Grant St, Concord, CA 94520, 10’x24’
“Wings of Paradise” ©2020 Twin Walls Mural Company, 858 Church Street, San Francisco CA, 7’x12’
“First Day of Summer” ©2019 Twin Walls Mural Company, Private Residence, 5’x15’
Apple Music- Puro Pop ©2019 Twin Walls Mural Company, Apple Music Commission for Latino Heritage Month, 7’x10’
Ungrafted ©2018 Twin Walls Mural Company, Ungrafted Wine Bar, 2419 3rd Street, San Francisco CA
John Muir Hospital ©2018 Twin Walls Mural Company. Designed and painted with Marina Perez- Wong. John Muir Health Emergency Waiting room, Walnut Creek Medical Center 1601 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek CA 4’x15’
“Copas de Oro” ©2018 Twin Walls Mural Company, Private Residence, 15’x6’
“Mayahuel” ©2018 Twin Walls Mural Company, Tacos El Grullense at Hillsdale Mall, 7’x10’
“Rio Francisco” ©2018 Twin Walls Mural Company, The Lister Bar, 77 Cambon Dr. San Francisco CA, 10’40’
“Ponyo, Ponyo, Ponyo Magic Sets You Free” ©2018 Twin Walls Mural Company, Bed and Biscuit Vacation Rental, Guerneville CA, 10’x 50’
Untitled, 2017 Design inspired by First Nations artist Art Wilson (Wii Muk’ willixw), Private Residence, San Francisco CA , 10’x10’
Hotel Kabuki 2017 Designs by Museum Editions and executed by Twin Walls Mural Company. Hand painted 75 doors and 130 shodos in guest rooms. Hotel Kabuki 1625 Post Street, San Francisco CA
John Muir Hospital 2016 In collaboration with Renee De Cossio and assisted by Julio Badel. John Muir Health Staff Dining Room, Walnut Creek Medical Center 1601 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek CA
Children’s and Instant Murals
“Our Little Garden” © 2018 Precita Eyes Muralists, Directed a 5th grade children’s mural at Paul Revere Elementary School and assisted by Diego Irizarry, painted by students. 555 Tompkins Ave, San Francisco CA
“Mother Earth will make you Strong” ©2018 Precita Eyes Muralists, Directed a 7th grade children’s mural at Paul Revere Elementary School and assisted by Diego Irizarry, painted by students. 555 Tompkins Ave, San Francisco CA
Chinese in the Sunset Community Mural, ©2017 Twin Walls Mural Company, Directed in collaboration the Chinese Historical Society and painted by community. Sunset Recreation Center, San Francisco CA
“Wings of Change: Celebrating our History Over Time” ©2017 Precita Eyes Muralists, Directed with Yukako Ezoe in collaboration with 113 3rd grade students and teachers. West Portal Elementary School San Francisco CA
“Our JFK Community Mural Project” ©2017 Precita Eyes Muralists, Directed and led the mural project in collaboration with JFK Elementary School 4th grade students. JFK Elementary School, 785 Price Street, Daly City CA
“People Make A Difference” ©2015 Precita Eyes Muralists, Directed and led the mural project in collaboration with George Peabody 2nd grade students. George Peabody Elementary School, San Francisco CA
“Celebrating Our Richmond District- Past to Present”, ©2013 Precita Eyes Muralists, Directed with Yukako Ezoe in collaboration with Argonne Elementary School with 83 3rd grade students. Argonne Elementary School, San Francisco CA
“What a Wonderful World”, © 2012 Precita Eyes Muralists, Directed with Peter Frauenfelder in collaboration with Charles Drew Elementary Students, Charles Drew Elementary School, San Francisco, CA