Tribute to Ginsburg draws large response
Local artist Edward Stross expected his public portrait of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to generate a lot of discussion. And it has.
The 24-inch-high airbrushed image of Ginsburg is located in the letter “O” of a mural spelling the word “love” on the exterior of his Gonzo Art Studio on Gratiot Avenue and Utica Road in Roseville.
Stross started the painting as soon as he learned of Ginsburg’s death. Since then, hundreds of people have commented on it on his Facebook page and numerous visitors have stopped by to see it in person.
“The people who have come out to see it have been 100% positive,” he said.
“The reaction online has been more mixed, with a lot of people talking about her views on abortion. I try to be respectful of both views. I’m not trying to provoke controversy.”
Ginsburg died Sept. 18 following complications with cancer. The diminutive jurist became a feminist icon who was known for her consistent fight for women’s reproductive rights and equality, and her memorable quotes.
On Friday, she became the first woman in U. S. history to lie in state at the U.S.Capitol. That’s an honor that has been given to mostly presidents, vice presidents and members of Congress.
Stross, who has a history of painting portraits of strong women, said he admired Ginsburg’s intelligence and beauty.
“Ruth was a very brilliant woman, and her intelligence justifies her to be put up there on the wall,” he said. “But I also thought shewas beautiful. She grew old with beautiful grace.”
He said the inspiration for this project came suddenly.
“It was almost like an out- of- body experience because something was telling me to paint this and something else was telling me, no, it’s going to backfire. But something gave me the courage to paint it anyway, knowing I was going to catch some flak,” he said.
Indeed, the intersection of art and politics is one where many opinions cross, especially when such an emotionally volatile issue as abortion is part of the mix.
On his Facebook page, many commentators debated Ginsburg’s philosophy.
“She was not worth the paint your (sic) going to use,” wrote Joe Finazzo of St. Clair Shores.
“Honestly, I hate her stances, I loathe the things she stood for,” wrote Barry Allen Toth. “But I can respect her stance on conviction, and I can admire that the lady had an impressive level of both tenacity and intellect. You won’t catch me dissing her or you.”
Kathy Cremin Vaughan added: “Such a beautiful tribute. You have a heart of gold Ed. Thanks for the inspiration. Keep it up!”
Stross has long been a controversial artistic figure in Macomb County, often fighting City Hall over various issues relating his works of art painted on the side of his commercial building.
In 2008, the Michigan Court of Appeals overturned his 2005 conviction for violating local zoning laws by painting a woman’s breast and the word “Love” on a mural on the exterior wall along Utica Road. The judges said the zoning variance “was an unconstitutional regulation of speech, infringing on defendant’s First Amendment protections.”
He readily acknowledges his support for a woman to choose what happens to her body, while recognizing the prolife stance.
“I am pro- choice, and I love it when people choose life and I want to vote for candidates who support women’s programs so that they can have their children,” he said. “Most women who get abortions can’t afford the child. I want them to have the children but they should have a choice.”
Stross most recently was in the news in August for paying tribute to 13 religious sisters from a Livonia convent who died this from COVID-19. He painted images of each of the women the wall of his studio, which gained a lot of attention.
He said next up is President Donald Trump, which likely will prove to be another controversial choice.
“I plan on painting a very nice portrait of Donald Trump,” he said. “When I finally do it — and I will get to it — I will do it with respect for his part in American history. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I agree with him. I’m just reporting it.”