Graffiti cleanup underway at Kitchener sculpture (update)
Posted Aug 8, 2019 07:45:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A long-standing piece of art in Kitchener is being cleaned up after being vandalized.
The piece called 'Aporia' has stood outside of the old courthouse on Frederick Street near Lancaster for about 40 years.
Regional and city staff were made aware Thursday morning that someone spray-painted the words “No Justice For The Poor” on it.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said any time there's vandalism in the city, it's a source of concern.
“From a municipal perspective, we try to get at it as quickly as possible in terms of getting it removed. When it's a piece of art, it becomes particularly sensitive because it is high profile. It's also a sign of disrepect to the artist who originally made that artwork.”
Vrbanovic offered a message to those responsible.
“Obviously there are issues in our community that we want to tackle collectively. When resources end up getting spent on having to clean up things like public art when it gets damaged, it takes away from our ability to serve those that are most in need. I certainly encourage these individuals to reach out to me or other elected officials to see how we can take their energy and put it toward actually tackling some of the problems in the community.”
Vrbanovic said this particular piece of art was planned to be refurbished as part of the overall renewal of that property, which will become home to the Waterloo Regional Police Service's Central Division.
“It is actually regional property, so they are dealing with it and will be looking for any information available from police with respect to who caused the damage. If they can be found, obviously the appropriate action will be taken,” said Vrbanovic.
Helen Chimirri-Russell is Director of Cultural Services with the Region of Waterloo, and said staff are working to get the graffiti removed.
“That's standard practice with anything in the region – we do outsource that, and it just depends on how long it will take to remove the graffiti as to how much it will all cost. The piece itself was a gift from the province in 1980 to be placed in front of the building in which it's in front of now. It currently belongs to the Region of Waterloo, as we purchased that building in 2017.”
In a statement, Waterloo Regional Police said they have not yet received any reports about the vandalism, but if property is defaced with graffiti the responsible party would be charged with mischief to property under/over $5,000. The penalty would be determined by the courts.
Regional staff began clean-up efforts on Friday morning.
