Repair Artist Dan Thompson's Vandalized Mural
Donation protected
Dan Thompson, also known as Invisible_Hometown, has been a graffiti writer and artist, as well as an illustrator and designer since 1997. His murals can be seen all over Indianapolis and the quality and dedication is unmistakable. He is a local treasure and at the top of his field in mural painting. Public art like his murals enhance communities in a way that uplifts everyone who resides, works, or even commutes through. Public art is truly one of the most authentic ways to invest in a community and invest in the lives of those who experience it.
Sometime over the weekend of 3/13, one of Dan's most well-trafficked murals in Fountain Square was vandalized. The mural will need to be redone and will be paid for out of pocket of the artist himself, both in materials and time. We (Indy Urban Hardwood) have organized this GoFundMe to help compensate Dan for his hard work and material cost put into this mural that all the neighborhood enjoys. An artist who paints for the joy of his community should be supported not only in acclaim, but also monetarily to help him sustain and grow the level of artistry he contributes to our community.
A statement from the artist:
"The mural on the back side of the Fountain Square Plaza, which I refer to as “Hands”, was originally painted for the Fountain Square Merchants Association. I had a relationship with the FSMA for years and was grateful when they asked me to be part of their plan to expand on the plaza. My idea for the mural was simple: I wanted to paint hands. They’re a difficult subject and I really enjoy painting them. I also wanted to find incorporate one of my junk robot characters. The nod to ‘Creation of Adam’ was just to make the piece more memorable; it also added some allegory to the piece. When working in pubic, it’s very hard to know what to do. I thought I had found equilibrium between traditional and contemporary tastes, artistic license and public art; all while injecting my personal style. It is one of my proudest works to date.
When the walls were rebuilt in more durable materials, I painted the piece again; more or less as it was before. Then, less than a year ago, both murals on the plaza were vandalized. I went back and restored Hands to its former glory again; as did Alicia Zinoni on the plaza side. Last year, Alicia’s work was much more heavily vandalized. This time, it’s all about my mural. The paint was thrown across the walls expertly, exploding across the details of each hand and trailing off along the length of each arm. I don’t take this sort of thing personally, it’s just pointless. But whoever it was, they did a thorough and efficient job of destroying the work.
So... Now I am called to paint this mural again. This will be the fifth time I have gone back to this piece and effectively my third time painting it over. It’s a part of the game, but this is a record for me. I’ve been painting walls in Indianapolis for 20 years. I take it seriously and when I have to go fix something, I intend to make it excellent."
We at Indy Urban Hardwood are behind Dan 100% and would love to help you help support Invisible Hometown. Make a contribution of any dollar amount and stop by Indy Urban Hardwood for a coozie + sticker!
Sometime over the weekend of 3/13, one of Dan's most well-trafficked murals in Fountain Square was vandalized. The mural will need to be redone and will be paid for out of pocket of the artist himself, both in materials and time. We (Indy Urban Hardwood) have organized this GoFundMe to help compensate Dan for his hard work and material cost put into this mural that all the neighborhood enjoys. An artist who paints for the joy of his community should be supported not only in acclaim, but also monetarily to help him sustain and grow the level of artistry he contributes to our community.
A statement from the artist:
"The mural on the back side of the Fountain Square Plaza, which I refer to as “Hands”, was originally painted for the Fountain Square Merchants Association. I had a relationship with the FSMA for years and was grateful when they asked me to be part of their plan to expand on the plaza. My idea for the mural was simple: I wanted to paint hands. They’re a difficult subject and I really enjoy painting them. I also wanted to find incorporate one of my junk robot characters. The nod to ‘Creation of Adam’ was just to make the piece more memorable; it also added some allegory to the piece. When working in pubic, it’s very hard to know what to do. I thought I had found equilibrium between traditional and contemporary tastes, artistic license and public art; all while injecting my personal style. It is one of my proudest works to date.
When the walls were rebuilt in more durable materials, I painted the piece again; more or less as it was before. Then, less than a year ago, both murals on the plaza were vandalized. I went back and restored Hands to its former glory again; as did Alicia Zinoni on the plaza side. Last year, Alicia’s work was much more heavily vandalized. This time, it’s all about my mural. The paint was thrown across the walls expertly, exploding across the details of each hand and trailing off along the length of each arm. I don’t take this sort of thing personally, it’s just pointless. But whoever it was, they did a thorough and efficient job of destroying the work.
So... Now I am called to paint this mural again. This will be the fifth time I have gone back to this piece and effectively my third time painting it over. It’s a part of the game, but this is a record for me. I’ve been painting walls in Indianapolis for 20 years. I take it seriously and when I have to go fix something, I intend to make it excellent."
We at Indy Urban Hardwood are behind Dan 100% and would love to help you help support Invisible Hometown. Make a contribution of any dollar amount and stop by Indy Urban Hardwood for a coozie + sticker!
Organizer
Brian Presnell
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN