Robert Indiana’s home, studio to be transformed into museum
PORTLAND, Maine — Reclusive pop artist Robert Indiana didn’t open his island home to many strangers. That’s going to change with his death.
Indiana’s will calls for his Main Street home and studio, which he dubbed the “Star of Hope,” to be transformed into a museum and for his entire art collection to be preserved and open to the public.
Indiana, whose “LOVE” series is instantly recognizable around the world, died on May 19 at his Vinalhaven Island home 15 miles off the mainland.
His attorney, James Brannan, filed the will in probate court Friday in Rockland. The will, dated in 2016, stipulates the creation of a nonprofit organization that will receive royalties from his artwork.
Brannan declined to place a figure on the artist’s estate but acknowledged most of the value is in the artist’s collection. Based on the court filing fee, the value of the estate is estimated to be upward of $28 million.
The attorney said it will take time and money to accomplish the late artist’s goal because the Victorianstyle building has fallen into disrepair. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Also complicating the late artist’s plans is a lawsuit filed in federal court in New York City. The lawsuit accuses two men of insinuating themselves into Indiana’s life and taking advantage of him in the final years of his life.
One of those men, Jamie Thomas, has served as Indiana’s power of attorney for two years, and was tapped to be director of the museum, Brannan said.
The Morgan Art Foundation, which filed the lawsuit May 18, plans to contest the will and Thomas’ appointment to direct the museum. The foundation holds a copyright for the LOVE series and accuses Thomas in the lawsuit of mistreating Indiana.