Irises 4

Irises 4 is one of a series of traffic signal control boxes painted by local artist Greg Allen in the Bates-Hendricks Neighborhood, located on the near south side of Indianapolis. Building from a historic tradition of planting irises in the area, some of which continue to bloom annually, neighborhood residents looked to the past to form a future identity. Developing a new practice of iris imagery throughout the neighborhood, Allen used the traffic signal control boxes to “plant” additional flowers as well as add color and creativity to an otherwise ordinary street corner.

Located on the corner of South East and East Morris Streets, Irises 4 is part of a larger effort to beautify the city known as Streetcorner Canvases. This traffic signal box art program enables Indianapolis’ neighborhoods to express their identity, beautify their streets, and discourage “tagging” or vandalism. The process is neighborhood-driven, with the Arts Council of Indianapolis assisting neighborhoods or other citizen groups by setting a common process, technical standards and aesthetic guidelines; working with the Department of Public Works to reserve, permit and track the boxes used; and providing advice and support for finding and working with artists and then maintaining the signal control boxes once they are completed.