By Daria Kerridge

In the newly renovated Student Recreation Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia we have a meeting of minds. A high tech Cycling Studio has been carved out on the first floor of the enormous sports complex but instead of the conventional decorative effect given interiors, the University of Missouri-Columbia commissioned artist Lampo Leong, Associate Professor of Art at MU to create an elaborate mural within the designated area.

This modern day fresco' combines the Rec Center's theme of the MU Tiger in its Tropical Jungle with the artistic vision and creative energy of the Fine Arts world. This is true Public Art and the result is a beautiful three sided, multi-layered creation of the MU's Tiger Lair, a triptych' mural painted twice-fold to accommodate the dual lighting effect: the warm indirect golden light source used throughout the facility and the contrasting cool black' neon reflecting light source characterizing the Cycling Studio Lair. The lighting is great fun and allows the observer, as he or she cycles, to note the incredible depth of field and attention to detail pursued by the artist.

Most people familiar with Lampo Leong's fine work know him as an abstract painter but here, in adherence to the Rec Center's theme, we are confronted with a representational scene which echoes back to Professor Leong's early foundation in classical realism. In light of his highly successful international career as a painter but also as an artist of public art (San Francisco Art Commission: granite medallion in a city park plaza; Epcott Center, Disney World, Florida: murals; The Westin Surabaya, Indonesia: murals; Hotel East 21, Tokyo, Japan: murals and The Tokyo Westin, Japan: murals) the students and faculty welcome such a distinguishing hallmark for their Recreation Center. The painting of Tiger Lair mural was carried out during the month of July 2005 by Professor Lampo Leong, assisted by visiting artist Jianming Wang and graduate student Ming Zhou.