I don’t know who artist Tom West had in mind when he executed this piece, but for me it has always read as a valentine to Olneyville. Rob Duguay asked West about his influences in an interview for MotifRI a few years ago.
Warhol is a huge idol of mine. Pop art definitely sang to me as a young person. In becoming an artist I used pop as a platform; I didn’t see the art that I wanted to see after that era. I feel like I’m a continuation of it in a way, but I also tackle more serious issues in terms of religion, education and war as opposed to pop culture, which normally went at the powers that be, the wealthy or whatever.
This piece can be found on Dike Street across from Shelter Arcade Bar and Fête Ballroom.