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PHOTOS: Wilkes-Barre mural causes controversy
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A large mural is the cause of controversy in a Wilkes-Barre neighborhood. Neighbors are now taking their complaints to the city to see what can be done about the concrete canvas.
Is it art? Or just an eyesore? A new mural in the Rolling Mill Hill section of Wilkes-Barre is causing controversy.
Several street artists painted on this building at Blackman and Arch Streets in recent days, and neighbors we spoke with are not happy about it.
'It's just not a good, it's just not a good look for the area, I don't think for anywhere in the city,' Rolling Mill Hill Resident Association President Linda Joseph told 28/22 News.
Joseph says other residents have reached out to her to complain about the abstract artwork.
Laura Mudlock is among them. She is the owner and director of a funeral home just across the street from the massive mural. Mudlock also lives above the funeral home.
'It's very upsetting to me. I don't like, I feel like I live in the ghetto right now,' Mudlock said.
But to many in the area, it isn't the spray paint that's the issue. It's what the paintings depict, and what neighbors say is a misrepresentation of the neighborhood.
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'There's a police officer on the right side, the extreme right of the building, with what appears to be holes- bullet holes,' Joseph stated.
The painting Joseph is referring to shows what is supposed to be the antagonist from James Cameron's 1991 movie, Terminator 2. On the arch street side, another character from the film is featured.
Mudlock says, although they are characters from a movie, the artwork has a deeper meaning.
'This is pretty plain. This says I will not respect authority in any way, shape, or form,' Mudlock added.
28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape reached out to Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown for comment on the mural:
I understand that some residents are not happy with the drawings that were placed on the building. However, since the drawings were approved by the owner of the building, the city cannot mandate the drawings be removed.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown
That was not the response Joseph was hoping for.'How does that make you feel?' Nape asked.'Disappointed that we can't but determined to try to get something to change in the future,' Joseph replied.
28/22 News tried contacting the building owner where the mural exists, but was unable to reach him in time for this story.
In the meantime, Joseph says she and 10 to 15 other residents will take the issue to city council this week to see if anything can be done about the mural.
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