“The Two Rs” is a visual allegory celebrating writers of Newfoundland and Labrador and their readers.

The left wall depicts the history of writing in this province (from quill to keyboard). Inspiration and creativity are represented by a mist of letters and symbols reaching our shores from the surrounding sea and sky. The opening line of E.J. Pratt’s poem, “Erosion”, begins to form. Traditional flakes, stages and outport homes are seen as books and writing implements, rising from a rocky coastline. Symbolic paper boats arrive at ‘wharves’ awaiting text (an homage to the history of paper shipments which left Botwood to become print materials). Many of the province’s literary classics appear on this wall.

The right wall features the same ‘allegorical community’ while emphasizing our local (Central Newfoundland) writers. Readers of various ages are seen on this wall. The lone figure at the far right represents the next generation of writers.

A growing stack of books is seen where the two walls meet, reflecting the on-going authorship in our province. This stack bridges “writing” and “reading”, the title’s “Two Rs”.

Newfoundland and Labrador breeds stories and storytellers. It is the stuff we are and continue to be made of.

*Mural commissioned by Botwood Mural Arts Society (BMAS).