“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”
Artist Anna Murphy took inspiration from the words of poet Rabindranath Tagore as she created these portraits of 43 people whose contributions and legacies helped shape Indianapolis between 1820 and 2020. The mural, a celebration of the city’s Bicentennial, also shines with hope, vision and possibilities for the future.
The 43 legends are surrounded by plants, ... view more »
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”
Artist Anna Murphy took inspiration from the words of poet Rabindranath Tagore as she created these portraits of 43 people whose contributions and legacies helped shape Indianapolis between 1820 and 2020. The mural, a celebration of the city’s Bicentennial, also shines with hope, vision and possibilities for the future.
The 43 legends are surrounded by plants, flowers and animals that have symbolic connections to each person, honoring the journeys of both those who were born in Indiana and those born in another state or country. Indiana’s state bird, the Northern Cardinal, is featured, along with native animals and insects, some classified as endangered. Murphy’s depictions of nature represent the fragility of life, and our responsibility to protect it and plant the seeds for the next generation.
Artist Johnathon Arce and apprentice Phyllicia Carr assisted Murphy. The mural was painted from July to September, 2023.
The mural was installed with the support and participation of:
- The City of Indianapolis Bicentennial Commission
- The Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County
- Pacers Sports & Entertainment
- Indiana Humanities
- Indy Arts Council
- And a committee of over 40 Indianapolis community leaders
The individuals depicted, from left to right and top to bottom, are:
- Hoagland Howard “Hoagy” Carmichael
- Mary Ellen Cable
- Feliciano “Felix” Espinoza
- Bobby “Slick” Leonard
- Sam H. Jones
- President Benjamin Harrison
- Marshall “Major” Taylor
- William “Bill” Crawford
- Roselyn Comer Richardson
- Melvin “Mel” Simon
- John Morton-Finney
- Mari Evans
- Rev. Andrew J. Brown
- Julia May (Porter) Carson
- John Leslie “Wes” Montgomery
- Dr. Frank Perry Lloyd
- Herman B Wells
- Madam C.J. Walker
- Harriette Bailey Conn
- Father Boniface Hardin
- Daisy Riley Lloyd
- Willard B. “Mike” Ransom
- Moy Jin Kee
- Henry J. Richardson Jr.
- Carolyn “Carrie” Barnes Ross
- George Pheldon Stewart
- Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
- May Wright Sewall
- James Whitcomb Riley
- Robert Lee Brokenburr
- Dr. Amelia R. Keller
- Rabbi Morris Marcus Feuerlicht
- Mayor William Hudnut
- Calvin Fletcher
- Senator Richard Green Lugar
- Anton “Tony” Hulman Jr.
- Edna Martin
- John Robert Wooden
- Josiah K. Lilly, Jr.
- Josiah K. Lilly, Sr.
- Col. Eli Lilly
- Eli Lilly (“Jr.”)
- William G. Mays
Learn more about this project, see individual portrait images, and read portrait subject bios here.
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