There’s so much interesting graffiti and sticker art around Logan Square. I always wonder who these artists are and where they come from.
One day I was walking to Fullerton and Milwaukee and I noticed a sticker of a flower on a lamp post. Then another. Then another. The stickers all had the message: “In loving memory to those lost to domestic violence” with the URL ChicagoFlowerMemorial.com.
Again I saw a sticker while traveling down Grand Avenue towards Leavitt, then again late at night at Homan and Lake towards the Green Line. I decided to do some investigating.
I went to the website months ago—a bland page with only a link to a Google Maps page and a PayPal link for donations. Finally, we’re getting somewhere, I thought.
According to the map, there are 104 stickers within the Wicker Park/Logan Square area: there are over 300 stickers meticulously mapped out throughout the city, with a plan to launch them into the South Side, unifying us all.
The idea of a social justice warrior creating a visual campaign ala Banksy, Hansky or Shepard Fairey gives me giddy goosebumps. And fills me with questions.
Who is this person? A victim of domestic abuse? An onlooker who’s had enough of living in silence? What drives a person to print hundreds of stickers and place them, many at least six feet up, on lamp posts all over Chicago? Is this a lone hero, or is there a group? And what can I do to help?
I started to think, What else I am I not noticing around me? We have to notice when women, children and yes, even men are victims of domestic violence.
On Instagram, I found a few posts and comments from people. It was nice to see that I was not the only one that noticed the flowers across the city.
The website is down, without a trace of the person who set it up. But in the spirit of awareness, here are some options for people dealing with domestic abuse:
Domestic Violence Support Groups in Chicago
Connections for Abused Women and their Children
Anger Management Support Groups in Chicago
I would love to meet the creator of this movement and have them reach out to us so that we can hear their story and expand on this article.
If you know on anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse and needs a 24-hour shelter, please consult Battered Women’s Shelters Chicago
Add your photos to #chicagoflowermemorial. Please comment below, share and be aware.
Click here to see more photos in Erik’s Flickr album. The Google Maps page link above is to a copy created to preserve the many locations of the stickers.