“Serve and Protect” ?
During the large-scale protests this past weekend in Salt
Lake City, Utah, a public artwork had its symbolic meaning completely
transformed when demonstrators poured red paint onto the giant hands. “Serve and Protect” is a large bronze sculpture by
artist Gregory
Ragland depicting two hands side-by-side with their palms facing
upward, demonstrating the sign language, ‘to serve’.
The public art commission
was completed in 2013 and measures 20′ x 20′ x 38″ and is located outside of
the Public Safety Building. The striking symbolism of the bright red paint pooling like
blood has sparked debate online. From cries of vandalism to being a powerful
political/protest statement, the opinions on such an act span the spectrum.
What’s clear is that art matters, and can be a powerful form of expression and
frustration.
https://twistedsifter.com/2020/06/red-paint-completely-changed-this-serve-and-protect-sculpture-during-the-protests/