Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has publicly called for the immediate removal of what he describes as a 'divisive' mural depicting slain Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. The unfinished artwork, located on the side of a local gay bar called The Dark Lady, has sparked controversy due to its funding sources, which include billionaire Elon Musk and controversial internet personality Andrew Tate.
Community Backlash and Political Concerns
Mayor Smiley, a Democrat, emphasized that the community strongly supports removing the mural. He stated, 'The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like this one across the county is concerning. I continue to encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than divides us.'
The mayor's office highlighted that the mural was not commissioned, funded, nor registered with the city, raising questions about its legitimacy and oversight.
Controversial Funding Sources
The controversy stems from donations made to a fund dedicated to creating murals in honor of Iryna Zarutska. This initiative was launched by Intercom CEO Eoghan McCabe, who announced on X in September that he was 'offering $500k in $10k grants to paint murals of the face of Iryna Zarutska in prominent US city locations.' McCabe provided a contact email and invited others to contribute.
Following this, Musk and Tate pledged significant financial support to the fund. Mayor Smiley's objection specifically targets the involvement of these figures, whom he views as polarizing and detrimental to community unity.
Artist's Disappointment and Intentions
Artist Ian Gaudreau, who was involved in the mural project, expressed disappointment over its politicization. He told NBC10, 'I think everybody was pretty moved by the way that she was just so publicly murdered. Just the fear in her eyes and the fact that nobody came to hold her hand while she took her last breaths was just pretty horrific.'
Gaudreau noted that the project is largely funded by Musk and a collection of online donors. On Instagram, he urged, 'I hope that this is what people will take away and put aside all of the political vitriol. Iryna Zarutska was a human being with a mother and father, who are still with us and still grieving.'
Bar Owners' Statement and Pause
The owners of The Dark Lady, Randy and Buck, issued a statement clarifying the mural's purpose. They said, 'This specific mural was created for our community to honor Iryna's memory, mental wellness, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigration, the war, unity, and anti-Trump policies.'
However, they confirmed that the project is currently on pause until final renderings can be shown to the public to ensure its 'true meaning' is understood. They added, 'We're sorry for the chaos this has caused. We are progressive Democrats, we do not support Donald Trump or politics of division, and our values are deeply rooted in inclusion, equality, and respect.'
Background on Iryna Zarutska
Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was tragically murdered on August 22 while riding a train in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was stabbed three times in her neck and hands by career criminal Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, who claimed his actions were due to a schizophrenic episode. Zarutska had fled her war-torn home in 2022 and was working at Zepeddie's pizzeria in south Charlotte at the time of her death.
Her obituary reveals that she graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration. Described as adventurous, she adored animals and traveling, and generously shared her creativity through artwork with family and friends.
In the weeks following her death, prominent figures like Musk and Tate offered financial backing for art pieces in her memory, leading to the current mural project and subsequent controversy in Providence.
