This mural has recently been exposed by the removal of its structure’s outer walls. It wasn’t a stretch to determine it was a pool room.
It’s located on the south side of Arabi and was once part of a business that included a 3-bay garage.
The mural is unsigned as best I can tell, but the artist is quite talented.
The focal point is a buxom woman smoking a pipe, surrounded by raucous children, while trying to shoot a game of pool with earth standing in for the cue ball and the planets filling out the rack.
This child is sliding down one of her buttocks.
The images above and below show two plump children swinging on the pool cue, which the artist has depicted as a tree branch.
The illustrations are a blend of different influences, from early comic art to Mad magazine and a little of everything else.
This snaggle-toothed toddler seems terrified as he sits helpless between the woman’s red shoes and striped socks.
And this youngster seems interested in nothing but his lollipop.
I’d love to know more about this mural and the artist. The whole structure has seen better days and it may not be around forever.
The Mural was painted around 1980. My dad had a service station there. Mechanic shop on east side and pool room on west side. Triangle Bargain shop was the name.
Thanks, Lila.
Super cool mural, Brian, and great captures of its component parts. Fascinating.
that is a neat find! I’m glad you highlighted it and documented it. Very fun share!
The mural looks as if it was painted quite recently. Surprised the artist didn’t sign the work. Most do, it seems.
It was an indoor mural, Harry, so I think it was just protected. I really have no idea of its age but probably older than it looks. Maybe 20 or more years old.