Creator
Olga Nichols and collaborators
Title
Figure with noose/unfinished artwork
Coverage
142 5th Street East, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Description
An unfinished piece (removed due to controversy) showing a figure reminiscent of George Floyd with a noose around his neck. Additional sections of the work emphasize "Unity," "Equity," and "Equality."
Source
Controversy emerged surrounding this mural because of the noose imagery as well as issues surrounding the right to paint on private property. According to the Pioneer Press story on the controversy, the artist stated: "“I think doing controversial pieces is worth it, and my point was to show how uncomfortable I am everyday as a person of color when I’m followed by the police,” Nichols said." The business owner granted permission for Nichols to paint the work, but the building owner ultimately denied permission. The building owner stated; "“We do not want to participate in inflammatory graphics being put on the side of our building,” he said. “It is private property; it shouldn’t have been put there to begin with and they did not have a right to do it without our approval, so we removed it.”" For more information, see: https://www.twincities.com/2020/07/03/st-paul-artists-george-floyd-mural-covered-up-after-building-owner-says-he-didnt-sign-off-heard-concerns-about-noose-depiction/
Rights
Artist: Olga Nichols
Emma Harville, "George Floyd mural sparks controversy." Pioneer Press, July 3, 2020. https://www.twincities.com/2020/07/03/st-paul-artists-george-floyd-mural-covered-up-after-building-owner-says-he-didnt-sign-off-heard-concerns-about-noose-depiction/
Publisher
Urban Art Mapping Research Project
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