Damages Awarded to Muralist

Muralist M.B. Hanrahan was awarded $50,000 in damages by the U.S. District Court. Her attorney states that he is happy for all mural artists and that it is a big win for public art.

I am a mural artist, and I find the decision offensive. The mural I painted still exists but I do not own the wall it was painted on, and there was never a guarantee that it would be permanent. Common sense and fairness dictate that the owner should have the final say as to what is displayed on the side of his building.

Hanrahan’s mural was youth-inspired and painted with the assistance of 300 residents, mostly students. This, coupled with the fact that it displayed an anti-drug, anti-alcohol message, is why it gained such mainstream popularity as to be displayed via photographs at the U.S. House of Representatives.

But sorry, it wasn’t a masterpiece, and painting over it wasn’t censorship.

It’s called change. If we have to look at the same old same old until either hell freezes over or the artist gives the almighty OK to remove the work, then things are going to get real old real fast. And property owners aren’t going to let artists touch their buildings with 10-foot poles, let alone a brush.

The owners of Avenue Liquor, Kamil Yousef and Tony Touma, are the victims here. Their liberty is being denied. The only thing they are guilty of is being out of touch with a society that is becoming so hung up on political correctness that justice is being pushed to the side.

Because of this they are out $50,000 and, I am sure, are dealing with legitimate emotional distress. I would ask that all concerned citizens offer their support to Kamil and Tony. I would also ask that Kamil and Tony understand that the actions of one do not represent the sentiments of the art community as a whole.

I urge M.B. Hanrahan to reconsider her actions. Perhaps there is a property owner who would be willing to offer her a permanent site. Where there is a mutual agreement, fairness can prevail.

I don’t know what her reputation was before, but if she collects a settlement and does not distribute it among the 300 residents, mostly kids, who assisted in painting the mural, then it would seem that she is just one more John Q. Citizen willing to jump on the litigious bandwagon that is fast becoming the most popular ride in America. It’s not cool to target kids.

RICK McGRATH

Camarillo