Dear Roanoke, you have artists.

A veiled figure, one in a series of many such paintings by Brian Counihan of Roanoke, Virginia.

"Idle Hands are the Devil's Workshop," by acclaimed artist Susan Jamison of Roanoke, VA.

Another by Susan Jamison. Her figures are bald, cerebral, serene, and decorated in exquisite body-art detail.

Dear Whoever is in Charge of Selecting Public Art in Roanoke,

The finalists you gave us for the Market Building art project do not meet local standards.

• They are not from here, first of all. (See Dan Smith’s series of posts on this. Here’s a good one to start: http://bit.ly/gOzjD4).
• They seem to have no idea how to capture “us” in their art.
• From the looks of their submissions, they design clip art for brochures about how happy everyone is. Perhaps they work for the pharmaceutical industry. Their painted “people” are depth-less, with round hypnotic eyes and retracted lips.

Let corporate America have them, Roanoke. We have artists here.

Have you heard of Susan Jamison? She is a celebrity among fans of contemporary art in other places. You know, bigger places. Brian Counihan? His paintings of veiled figures evoke themes of identity, non-identity, mystery, and possibility. Isn’t that were we are now, Roanoke? Wouldn’t Brian’s veiled figures be a better and more intriguing choice than your generic row of glorified public servants, including the creepy, guffawing firefighter? Who is he? Why would I want to look at him? What is he laughing at?

What I am trying to say is I don’t like his face.

The Guffawing Fireman, what the City of Roanoke thinks is "inspiring" public art. This image, if placed in the Market Building, would lead to higher health costs for the city, mostly in treatments for broken wrists.

I’ve probably left out other local artists who deserve consideration. I’ve included my two favorites. And even if these two artists were presented with the opportunity to make an artistic contribution to the Market Building, I don’t know that they would be interested. Their art has elements that may be too challenging for public art. I understand that. I believe, however, that they would be able to come up with designs that would be friendly to the public while still imparting the qualities that make their art interesting. That make their art ART. That make us want to claim them.

Sincerely, Your Fan, Because I Live Here, and I Rely on You to Select Good Public Art,

Jill

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