Estimated duration: 2-3 minutes
MIDVALE — A mural on Main Street makes the city talk. Some community members said public art displays were inappropriate for children, while others said it was up to individual interpretation.
Midvale Mayor Marcus Stevenson said, “I’ve heard a lot of people say it stands for different things to them because it’s open to interpretation.
He said the mural was in the back of a tattoo parlor in May, but it’s been making a lot of headlines lately.
Artist Shay Petersen has received approval for the design from the city and business owners, Stevenson said.
“For the city, this is not a depiction of nudity, so at this point the mural is there and will stay there,” the mayor said.
Some critics said at a city council meeting that the mural appeared to depict a naked man and woman “experiencing ecstasy”. said he was “bored” with the arts.
“You’re looking at the arm and the chest,” Petersen said.
Some residents said the women in the murals looked younger.
“You can’t say she has big breasts, and she’s like a child,” Petersen said. “You have to pick and choose what your opinion is.”
Midvale has murals of people talking. Artist Shay Petersen says the piece depicts a woman protecting a man from the darkness. Some residents say it’s porn. We break down what the community had to say at a recent conference and explain what happens next…@KSL5TV at 6 o ‘clock. pic.twitter.com/T7I0N4QkCe
— Shelby Lofton (@newswithShelby) October 24, 2022
Stevenson said the majority of the public had no problem with art. He said it brought visitors to the city and started meaningful conversations about art.
“I think residents recognize that when they see unique art that starts a conversation that makes them come to our main street to see this,” he said.
The mayor said the city views the art as a First Amendment issue and does not violate the city’s community standards.