Acosta’s ‘Crayons’ mural recalls Sandy Hook

This 6′ × 24′ graffiti mural is the work of Gamma Acosta, Longmont, Colo. “Crayons” is his statement about the Sandy Hook school massacre, done a day later. It’s gone now, boards and all, to an anonymous art collector who wanted it preserved. Normally Acosta, who paints on his uncle’s vacant building, would have painted over it to make way for his next mural. This is the first time in five years that one of his murals has been preserved. The collector will replace the planks.

When I first saw “Crayons” during a local TV interview with Acosta, I thought it was powerful, a kick in the gut, heart-wrenching. The horror of that day summed up in a single image. An unforgettable statement about something we must never forget.

Then I found a very long discussion about it on Reddit, and it seemed mine was very much a minority opinion. Most people there seem to think it’s shocking, awful, repulsive, etc. Yes, it is. But that’s the point. Isn’t it? To make sure we never forget. I know I’ll never forget this mural.

I think the discussion got started badly when the person who posted the picture described it as his friend’s Sandy Hook “tribute” mural. It was a reaction to Sandy Hook, but it’s obviously not a tribute in the sense of a sweet, gentle memorial to the victims.

I don’t know. What do you think?