The mural depicting Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee tragically killed, has been removed from its prominent display in Providence, Rhode Island. Once adorning the side of a building that houses the Dark Lady, a well-known gay bar, the artwork has become a subject of controversy due to its financiers. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, alongside other officials, called for its removal, expressing discontent over the mural’s funding sources—Elon Musk and Andrew Tate. “While the loss of the individual depicted in this mural is a profound tragedy, the divisive intentions behind such projects funded by these figures are concerning,” Smiley remarked. He urged the community to support local artists who foster unity rather than division.
Musk-Backed Memorial Removed
This mural was part of a larger initiative following a pledge from Musk and Tate, who offered financial support after Intercom CEO Eoghan McCabe announced on social media a commitment of $500,000 in $10,000 increments for murals of Zarutska in major U.S. cities. On Tuesday afternoon, construction crews were seen dismantling the mural, carefully lowering it, and transporting it to a new, yet-to-be-decided location. Mural artist Ian Gaudreau, speaking to WJAR-TV, expressed his disappointment, sharing, “Having the mural come down is definitely a sad moment. We wanted it to have a home downtown Providence.” Community reactions were mixed, with one resident commenting, “I had no problem with the mural. I thought it was beautiful.”
The Missing Meaning
Gaudreau, pictured reflecting on the situation, wished for a separation of the artwork’s message from its funding origins. “I think a lot of people are not even taking the time to look at the art and think about what it might mean,” he lamented. A representative for Gaudreau confirmed that plans are underway to reinstall the mural elsewhere, though the new location remains undisclosed. The mural commemorates Zarutska, who was just 23 when she was viciously attacked and killed on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22. She was a refugee seeking safety after fleeing her war-torn country in 2022, only to meet a tragic end, as bystanders stood by helplessly.
Prosecutors identified the cold-blooded culprit as career criminal Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, who blamed his despicably violent actions to a schizophrenic episode . In the weeks following Zarutska’s gut-wrenching death, prominent – and controversial – individuals have offered financial backing for art pieces in her memory. Zarutska was on her way home from work at Zepeddie’s pizzeria in south Charlotte when she was stabbed three times in her neck and hands. She was not even on the train for five minutes before she was killed. Zepeddie’s posted a tribute to the devoted worker, writing: ‘We lost not only an incredible employee, but a true friend.
‘Our dear Iryna left this world far too soon, and our hearts are heavy with grief. ‘Since her passing, we have kept a candle burning in her memory – a small reminder of the warmth, kindness, and light she brought into our lives every single day.’ In her obituary, family said that before starting her new life in the US, Iryna graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration. She was described as an adventurous young woman who adored animals and traveling. ‘She shared her creativity generously, gifting family and friends with her artwork,’ they said.
