| Copyright Times Publishing
Co. May 16, 2003
Minister Ron Drumm
doesn't see much art
in the brush strokes
painted across the street
from his church. He sees
Greek Revival columns,
volcanoes and shapely
nude women.
"It looks like an orgy," said
Drumm, the leader of the
Church of Christ on Henderson
Boulevard.
The mural, which is the
work of local artist Ron
Hutchinson, has created
controversy among neighbors,
church members and salon
customers.
Drumm says the mural,
while painted skillfully,
is distasteful and doesn't
belong so close to a church.
Hutchinson says it's an
artistic expression.
Hutchinson, the owner
of Dr. Doodle Inc., painted
the mural on the side of
Salon South Tampa at 3328
Henderson Blvd., just north
of Swann Avenue.
He used the human anatomy
to represent the themes
of beauty, health and paradise,
he said. The smooth-skinned
women also fit with the
purpose of a spa.
"It's not pornographic
in any way," said Hutchinson,
who started his graphic
arts company four years
ago. "Someone might find
the unicorn obscene. You
can't please everyone.
Art is always subjective."
Hutchinson began painting
last month and expects
to finish in a few weeks.
His inspiration was Philadelphia
artist Meg Saligman, known
for her giant murals on
the sides of city buildings.
She often mixes human images
with natural, even supernatural,
landscapes.
The 60-by-14-foot mural
is about 50 feet from the
church's front door. Young
men in the congregation
brought it to Drumm's attention
after noticing the women
were nude.
Drumm said he doesn't
plan to ask members of
the 160-member congregation
to protest the design.
Many are customers of the
salon.
But if anyone asks his
opinion, he shares it openly.
"I haven't changed my
mind about what I feel
about the nude bodies,
but my mind is very clear," he
said. "I don't want a battle."
Drumm called the Salon's
owner a couple weeks ago
and suggested that Hutchinson
cover a female figure's
chest with vines.
Hutchinson declined.
So
far, Hutchinson said
he has heard overwhelming
support for the mural and
has no plans to change
it. Many have cheered, "Go
Doodle."
- John Balz can be reached
at 226-3401 or at balz@sptimes.com |
