Butterfly mural returns home to Halifax airport after Nova Scotia tour

Alan Syliboy’s 3D Butterfly at the Stanfield International Airport in Halifax (Photo from the official Facebook page of Halifax Stanfield International Airport)

Halifax airport’s butterfly has returned home after travelling around Nova Scotia for the past year.

Renowned Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy created his canvas mural “3D Butterfly” for Stanfield International Airport’s main lobby in a three-day public art event on-site in 2013.

In recent months the stylized butterfly, depicted in vivid shades of red, black and yellow, has been exhibited in places including St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish and Creamery Square in Tatamagouche.

Butterflies have a spirit that allows them to be free, the Truro-born artist has said.

“I think an airport is a very emotional place: you’re leaving someone, or someone is leaving you, or someone is arriving,” Syliboy says in “Carry Me Home,” a short film by Nance Ackerman about the creation of the mural (online at vimeo.com/121167146).

“I hope this painting affects people and then can help them along their journey.”

The 4.5-by-4.5-metre square mural, jointly commissioned by the airport and the province, will remain on permanent display, said Sherrie Clow, Stanfield’s community outreach co-ordinator.

The airport plans to install a plaque in the lobby with a QR code linking to a website so travellers can learn more about Syliboy and the work, Clow said.