In July 2023, Etienne Constable of Seaside received a city order to build a 6-foot coverage screen in front of his boat. Rather than constructing a plain fence, Constable collaborated with his artist neighbor to create a lifelike mural of his boat on the fence.
Constable shared his reasoning: “I’m not a rule-breaker, but I enjoy making political, humorous, and creative statements when necessary.”
The city has yet to respond to the mural, but Constable believes it is protected under his First Amendment rights. He would be surprised if the city demanded its removal.
The mural quickly went viral, garnering thousands of comments across social media platforms. Both Constable and the mural artist, Hanif Panni, were taken aback by the overwhelming response. “I’m all in favor of generating discussion and making people smile,” Constable remarked. “The reaction has been far greater than we ever expected, and we’re thrilled about it.”
Panni, known for his murals around the Central Coast, emphasized the importance of public art. “Public art engages people in ways that simple conversations sometimes can’t,” he explained. “This piece opens a dialogue about what constitutes an eyesore versus what is considered art.”
The mural’s popularity has led other Seaside residents to request similar artistic treatments for their fences, showcasing a growing interest in creative community expressions.
Source: https://www.ksbw.com/article/man-strikes-back-against-seaside-order-with-boat-mural/60749038
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