By Caitlyn Bryant
This Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Savannah’s Public Art Lab unveiled one of three pianos that have been painted by three local artists. The piano that will be on display has been painted by SCAD’s very own Tayler Ayers.
Public Art Lab ran a contest during September calling for local artists to submit applications for a chance to paint one of three pianos. The pianos will be displayed throughout the Starland neighborhood and the public has the opportunity to play them.
“Public Art Lab is a non-profit organization that is focused on bringing art into the community,” said Christiana Mooers, Social Media Marketing Coordinator for Public Art Lab.
On Public Art Lab’s website, it reads their initiative for the pianos is a way to “celebrate the unique character and beauty of the Starland community, bringing both art and music to the neighborhood’s streets!”
Ayers was one of the artists selected.
“I just filled out the application and said I’ve done some of the graffiti around town and it would be nice to do a public piece that’s [permitted] for the first time,” Ayers said.
Ayers has graffitied around Savannah and also sold several painted works on canvas for the last three years. He has put up a considerable amount of his classic skull motif around local businesses such as Foxy Loxy Café and the pizza joint, Sweet Melissa’s.
The most well-known work Ayers painted was a quote: “Be Human In All That You Do.” Several folks around town have taken photos with and of the work.
His abrasive and eclectic black and white aesthetic has turned heads and praise from residents and students. Ayers’ work is “never mean but always honest,” which is actually the phrase and subject on one of his many personal endeavors: paint on canvas tote bags. His transparency and ability to keep conversations going has drawn people to his art work.
“Things are my ‘aesthetic’ because it’s what I’m attracted to,” Ayers said. “I guess my aesthetic is just being myself every day.”
The piano, as one could guess, is black with white letters but Ayers put thought into the quote.
“I put everything I think Starland represents,” Ayers said. “I wanted to include all the energy Starland stands for, like different types of socioeconomic backgrounds and just different people. Also the cultural climate right now. People don’t necessarily feel the most loved right now and I think art and text within art is a way to convey love.”
Ayer’s piano will be on display at Big Bon Pizza’s new location, Big Bon Bodega, which will be a bagel shop on the corner of Bull Street and 37th. Big Bon is sponsoring the piano alongside Public Art Lab.
