This mural in downtown Memphis is actually an historic work of art, and you can find it on the side of Divine Rags, an upscale Italian clothing shop at 300 S. Main St. This work has been the center of some controversy during the past few years. You can enlarge the photo by clicking on it.
"Taking Care of Business" was created under the direction of Memphis artist George Hunt in 1983, and is one of a series of murals created at that time (you can read more about the artist, George Hunt, here). It "depicts the emergence of blacks from slavery to freedom through education and entrepreneurial success." There are only two murals (of this series) remaining, and the current owner of this building originally wanted to paint over this mural due to its condition. This created a bit of an outcry due to its historical significance, and the civic-minded owner later changed his mind. You can read more about this mural and these events here.
I am so glad that this mural still exists for citizens and visitors to appreciate and enjoy.
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37 comments:
That looks like a great mural. I wish I could see it better (even when enlarged, it still displays rather small on my hi-res screen), but I can tell that's a very elaborate one. Good for the city and also for his business to have kept it.
Have a fun theme day! :)
Yeah, it's sad when such iconic murals disappear, but I guess being emphemral is part of the nature of them.
How long will Green Boy survive?
it's a nice piece of artwork, and i'm glad they decided to keep it...
SH, your son is right. Your screen resolution is set to 800 x 600 pixels, that's too low for a widescreen monitor (mine is set to 1680 x 1050 which is the highest). Your son will know how to change this setting (it's very easy, really). When you change the resolution, photos will appear much smaller than now and you'll also have to increase the text size. It will probably seem odd at first, but you'll get used to it quickly. A screen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels would probably be a good choice for you.
Really nice to see a mural like this and appreciated by the city fathers too.
I think the mural is worth keeping; even in its present condition. Maybe some restoration work could be in order.
Anything historical and meaningful like this should be preserved for the next generation.
Thanks for sharing the background of the mural.
I am glad it is still there as it is very nice.
It is certainly worth preserving
Sweet! That's very nice, cool!
Thanks for your kind comment on my blog the other day! It was encouraging at just the right time. Don't you love street art? As long as it is not gang related I think tastefully done street art really adds to the ambiance of a community
I wonder how they can preserve this painting from further deterioration? I mean, it's out in the elements, and it's already been painted in non-weatherproof paint... and if there were something you could do to totally prevent paint from peeling off, then people wouldn't need to paint their houses every few years, right?
A lovely historical mural nonetheless! It must be neat to have such a mural right on the street.
Great mural, now preserved for eternity on your blog! Nice work. I've noticed a couple of murals, where I am, starting to fade. I guess they can be restored just like any other kind of artwork(?).
Good thing owner retained it for you to show us! Its nice that this vast mural reminds the people of history! Great post!
Love it. There is a mural similar to this one in New Orleans, too.
A beautiful piece of art, thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
Old work. Where the message was the most important. Indeed, a mural fantastic.
Glad they have saved the mural, but it looks like the weather is going to win out in not too many more years
Old mural is very hard to maintain especially this size. I hope owner and community keep this in care.
I hope the owner can go a step further and restore it!
I really like it.
A good piece of street art, as it conveys a message and story.
That's a good mural. It's very meaningful.
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Happy Theme Day!
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Fenix, I changed my resolution to what you suggested (1280 x 800) and my font to largest. Now my blog is in the center 1/3 of the screen, and the photos actually look smaller.
Atta girl! :)
Yes, that's how it is supposed to look because you have a narrow Blogger template. My template is wide. To take full advantage of that nice monitor of yours, you might want to enlarge your template, but that'd require some html knowledge. Maybe your son would be able to help?
Is there anything else that I should be doing?
Yes, from now on, and regardless of whether you change the width of your template, you should size your photos to 1200 pixels wide. That way they'll will enlarge properly. Your mural photo is 640 pixels wide, that's why it shows kind of small on hi-res screens.
If/when you change the width of your template, you can also make your photos look large on the blog, like mine.
Does it change anything from your end, in seeing my photos?
No, the changes you made only affect your computer.
Thanks again so much for your input!
My pleasure. I'm glad to have been of help. :)
I'm getting really excited, Southern Heart, about seeing the Kellogg's Plant and now this mural in your blog, neither of which I've seen in person yet. But I will, I will.
Wow - what a good choice of mural for the theme day.
This is nice to see, even in it's current state. There probably is no way to restore this mural other than the artist repainting it on a sealed wall with durable paint and some top coat that will seal it from sun and water damage. That fading, pealing quality is something folks love about old advertisements on brick buildings. But, an art mural, it's really disappointing when it's beyond repair.
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
it's great that you photographed it. if ever the mural's gone, there's one digital copy here to share!
Happy Theme Day!
Certains murs ont vraiment un message à transmettre.
Some walls do carry a message.
Finest !
This one is "une oeuvre d'art"!
Looks like a lot of thought (and paint) went into this.
Very nice choice for theme day. I really enjoy this type of art!
This is fantastic! And I couldnt agree more, definitely worth keeping. This mural is why i think this form of art is so important. Great choice.
Thank goodness it's still there and you got to share it with us!
Love the mural! It is politically and socially charged but I like it a lot.
It'll stay there for many years more. And thank you for showing it to us :)
A really historical mural. Dont let they paint them or vadalize it
Wonderful mural ... I too hope it survives for future generations.
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