The Contemporary Austin has commissioned a mural that uses the imagery found in the work of the late artist and musician Daniel Johnston.
The mural is on the south-facing façade of the museum’s Jones Center, on the corner Congress Ave. and West Seventh St. in downtown Austin. The commission is concurrent with the posthumous retrospective, “Daniel Johnston: I Live My Broken Dreams” on view at the Jones Center. It will be officially unveiled Jan. 22, Johnston’s birthday.
Related: ‘The complicated legacy of Daniel Johnston’s art’
Fabricated by Show Goat Mural works, the mural features images and details taken directly from Johnston’s artwork, including some of his most prominent characters: the Beast, a multi-headed creature referencing the Book of Revelation; Jeremiah the Innocent, a symbol of pure innocence anchoring his landmark “Hi, How Are You,” 1993, mural; Vile Corrupt, Jeremiah’s evil, multi-eyeballed nemesis; and Casper, the ghost of Jeremiah and symbol of spiritual redemption.
On Jan. 22 at 12:30 p.m tune into The Contemporary’s Instagram (@contemporaryatx) where the official ribbon cutting will be live streamed. The public is also invited to gather at the corner of Congress Avenue and Seventh Street in a safe and socially distanced manner.
“Daniel Johnston: I Live My Broken Dreams” is on view through March 20. The mural will be ongoing.
