CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — For years, South Side Chicagoan Rahmaan Statik has reached a countless number of people through his prolific work as a muralist, with a body of work that includes hundreds of pieces in, around and beyond the city limits.
Over the past week or so, though, Statik has found himself on the receiving end of hundreds of well wishes, after he launched a GoFundMe to help him pay for medical expenses and other essentials as he recovers from two fractured feet.
As of Thursday evening, Chicagoans and fans of Statik had raised over $12,500 for the artist.
Depending on where someone lives or works, they may know Statik for any number of murals adorning Chicago walls. His work has appeared on a concrete wall at 87th Street and Vincennes Avenue, on the Rosemont Convention Center, and outside of the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Chicago, among many other places.
Statik was chosen to create a Juneteenth mural outside of the Anthony Overton Elementary School in Bronzeville. Statik worked real-life Chicagoans into his 20-foot-by-100-foot mural to show the city’s relationship with Juneteenth, he told WBBM.
“For me, creating art isn't just a job — it's a calling,” Statik wrote on GoFundMe. “It's how I express myself, connect with others, and make a positive impact on the world around me. But with this injury, I'm faced with the daunting reality of not being able to pursue my passion and provide for myself or my family during this time of healing.”
The goal for the GoFundMe was set at $20,000. Donations can be made here.
“I'm immensely grateful for the love, friendship, and solidarity that you've shown me throughout the years,” he wrote. “Your unwavering support has been a source of strength and inspiration, and I couldn't imagine facing this journey without you by my side.”
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