All graffiti were painted with the city council’s agreement, but the city tried to get rid of some “distasteful or offensive” pieces after complaints. But it was a mistake.
One of the “offensive” graffiti. Source: Ryan Poe/The Commercial Appeal
Twelve artists sued Memphis on April 25 for painting over their works in Midtown in an attempt to remove the nearby murals called “satanic” by the council members, the Commercial Appeal reports.
City crews painted over the graffiti at the end of January. According to Robert Knecht, the public works director, it was a miscommunication. Only one of the removed murals, by KYO Krew, was on the list given by council member Jamita Swearengen, the complaint to US District Court reads.
The painted over murals were part of an annual 135-mural installations organised by Paint Mamphis. Some works were drawn on public buildings, while some were painted on private property with owners’ consent. According to Knecht, a total of 7 murals were destroyed by mistake.
The artists filed a lawsuit, seeking financial damages for the loss of the murals and for the damage to their reputations and emotions. They also want the city to be permanently prohibited from destroying other works in the Paint Memphis installation.
Subscribe to our mailing list: