The minister would prefer strategically placed vines on the nudes, but the artist says no.
By JOHN BALZ
Published May 16, 2003
Minister Ron Drumm doesn't see much art in the brush strokes painted across the street from his church. He sees Greek Revival columns, volcanoes and shapely nude women.
"It looks like an orgy," said Drumm, the leader of the Church of Christ on Henderson Boulevard.
The mural, which is the work of local artist Ron Hutchinson, has created controversy among neighbors, church members and salon customers.
Drumm says the mural, while painted skillfully, is distasteful and doesn't belong so close to a church. Hutchinson says it's an artistic expression.
Hutchinson, the owner of Dr. Doodle Inc., painted the mural on the side of Salon South Tampa at 3328 Henderson Blvd., just north of Swann Avenue.
He used the human anatomy to represent the themes of beauty, health and paradise, he said. The smooth-skinned women also fit with the purpose of a spa.
"It's not pornographic in any way," said Hutchinson, who started his graphic arts company four years ago. "Someone might find the unicorn obscene. You can't please everyone. Art is always subjective."
Hutchinson began painting last month and expects to finish in a few weeks. His inspiration was Philadelphia artist Meg Saligman, known for her giant murals on the sides of city buildings. She often mixes human images with natural, even supernatural, landscapes.
The 60-by-14-foot mural is about 50 feet from the church's front door. Young men in the congregation brought it to Drumm's attention after noticing the women were nude.
Drumm said he doesn't plan to ask members of the 160-member congregation to protest the design. Many are customers of the salon.
But if anyone asks his opinion, he shares it openly.
"I haven't changed my mind about what I feel about the nude bodies, but my mind is very clear," he said. "I don't want a battle."
Drumm called the Salon's owner a couple weeks ago and suggested that Hutchinson cover a female figure's chest with vines.
Hutchinson declined.
So far, Hutchinson said he has heard overwhelming support for the mural and has no plans to change it. Many have cheered, "Go Doodle."
