This Town May Ban All Public Art Because of an LGBTQ Mural
metroweekly.comCBC.The mural, commissioned by the NOCO Mural Project in collaboration with the LGBTQ group North Country Pride using funds from a United Way program, went up in late summer on a brick wall outside local Chinese restaurant Jing Fong.According to a post on NOCO Mural Project’s Instagram page, one of the paintings, which depicts dandelions growing out of an open book, is intended to be a commentary on the current political climate, in which books and access to gender-affirming care are being banned.Another painting, showing a white bearded iris over a rainbow color wheel is meant to be a nod to the Greek goddess of rainbows, the Pride flag, and queer artist Hilma af Klint.The third painting shows two white birch trees, New Hampshire’s state tree, and is titled “We Belong.”Gendreau brought up her objections to the mural at an August 28 Select Board meeting, noting that the mural is on private property.“I really think we need to be very careful about what kind of artwork goes up,” she said. “This last artwork that went up on the side of the Jing Fong building.
I would encourage anyone to research what that really means.”Gendreau did not elaborate on what she believed the mural’s meaning to be, though she appeared to be referencing its LGBTQ symbolism.“It’s a very uncomfortable thing, I know, because it makes it sound like I’m anti…whatever.
I’m not,” Gendreau said.She also warned that the group behind the mural had plans to install more art on public property around town. “It’s coming, and what went up was not good.
