Chicago loves the murals of Sandra Antongiorgi and Marcus Akinlana.
The mural, which covered about 2,000 square feet and had been carefully
restored by Antongiorgi in 2010 with funding from the community development
organization Archi-Treasures, was completely wiped out—apparently speedily
and without consultation with anyone who might care. Neither the artists
nor the aldermen were contacted (its 200-foot span bridged the 26th and
35th Wards). “It was such an aggressive act,” Antongiorgi says. “I can’t
imagine somebody not questioning why they’re whitewashing 200 [linear] feet
of a mural that had been in the community 26 years.”
And the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events said in its own
statement, “We were disheartened to learn of recent events, and have
committed ourselves to working closely with our City partners on a plan to
protect murals throughout the city.”
