Modern Hieroglyphs

Anthony Lee's Modern Hieroglyphs mural at Central Station in the historic South Main Arts District depicts a variety of widely used symbols in contemporary culture.  In 2009 Lee's mural was awarded the American's for the Arts Public Art Year in Review Award. Lee describes the project in these terms:

Visual symbols are a part of every culture and society. We readily identify these symbols with ancient civilizations and religion, but how will the symbols of today be interpreted when our times become ancient? What symbols represent 21st century living? The original inhabitants of both Memphis cities in Tennessee and Egypt used symbols, or simple drawings, to chronicle their happenings in a time before text. The aim of this project is to make conspicuous the symbols of today that may seem mundane and are overlooked.