Statesville City Council KOs new Muhammad Ali mural: Mural to be removed immediately, officials say

As most of Statesville slept Saturday night, the Charlotte-based artist known as ALX DLRG was at work once again in downtown with another tribute to a fallen icon.

And now that it’s done, the city says it must go.

Muhammad Ali is the subject of the new mural, which is almost as tall at the two-story building it is painted on. The painting is directly opposite of the Prince mural in the parking lot between the New South Gallery & Art Studio and Special Treasures on North Center Street.

The mural depicts the late professional boxer in a white t-shirt that says “The Greatest” and butterflies and bees surround him symbolizing his famous quote, “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”

Ali passed away on June 3 at the age of 74 in a Scottsdale, Arizona hospital.

During the Statesville City Council meeting Monday night, council members and Planning Director David Currier discussed the new mural to determine what action should be taken.

Since the mural did not have the proper permitting with the city and the planning board, it’s illegal and must be taken down immediately, Currier said.

Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh said that since the artist is the same who produced the Prince mural, he should be well aware of the ordinances in place.

“We created the problem by not immediately painting over Prince,” said Councilman C.O. “Jap” Johnson.

Council member Keith Williams said that since it was so simple to apply for the permit, he wondered if the artist did it out of spite or rebellion.

The artist known as ALX DLRG, who also recently completed murals in for the Town of Troutman, could not be reached for comment Monday.

Statesville City Attorney Eddie Gaines said that council members did not need to make a motion to permit the planning department to enact its own policy.

“We are going to immediately wash the wall and remove the mural,” Currier said.

City employees have already removed two pieces of what Currier classified as graffiti on the New South Gallery & Art Studio wall found Saturday on both the left and right sides of the Prince mural.

The Prince mural, also painted by ALX DLRG, and commissioned by New South Gallery & Studio owner Rogelio Calvo, was initially done as a temporary piece to help celebrate the second annual Statesville Calabrese Jazzfest in April.

Since the mural was done without the proper permitting, Statesville City Council members considered taking it down, but its popularity led to the new ordinance, which would allow the mural to stay with a permit.

Richard Gordon, whose family owns the buildings that house New South Gallery & Art Studio as well as Special Treasures, said he had heard rumor of another mural going up, but wasn’t sure if it was actually going to happen.

He added that the family is very supportive of the arts, including murals, “just as long as they are not offensive, I am all for it.”

Gordon said that he has only heard positive feedback about the new mural, which has already drawn numerous visitors.

Around noon Monday, Statesville residents William and Rose Scott, took the opportunity to park their cars and take a picture.

“Something like this should be treasured,” Rose said. “It’s such a wonderful piece of art.”