Controversial mural art painted over

Tube Dudes owner Scott Gerber painted over the controversial “Fast Life” mural on his Rosemary District building on April 6.

In November, French artist MTO painted the mural for the Sarasota Chalk Festival with a message that reads: “It’s a Fast Life Let Love Express It.”

Some say the message, however, could also be interpreted as “Fat Lie” if the twisted fingers are used to interpret a gang expression.

A gang expert sent over by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, however, has found no gang signs in the piece, Gerber said.

Some neighbors, downtown residents and the Sarasota City Commission urged for the removal of the mural for the past six months. The mural was on the Tube Dudes plant building that sits at the corner of 10th Street and Central Street.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].