Machete Wielding Man Vandalizes Bob Bartlett Memorial

Bartlettwas first African American to serve on Monrovia City Council in 1974

By Terry Miller

A casualglance at the memorial for the much loved late former mayor of Monrovia atStation Square would probably not notice that vandals have literally defaced BobBartlett’s mosaic portrait.

The topright side (left to the viewing public) of Bartlett’s face has changed and themosaic tiles removed. The City of Monrovia has attempted to clean up the vandal’sattempt to destroy the memorial which was installed in February 2018.

According to the Monrovia Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), an observer called the police last week after witnessing a man with a machete defacing the mosaic tiles off the Bartlett memorial.

Units fromboth Monrovia and LASD responded immediately but the suspect had fled the scenebefore officers arrived. Witnesses gave the police a description of the suspectand surveillance video has proved inconclusive.

This mosaicportrait of Mayor Bartlett is one of five mosaics in “Mayor Bob BartlettMemorial” and it sits in the center of the sculpture, in the heart of thecity. He was the first African American to serve on the council.

RalphWalker, KGEM host, told Monrovia Weekly, “It’sappalling to see the defacing of the local trailblazer, Bob Bartlett. Themosaic mural is such a fine piece of artwork it has to invoke pain in theartist to know that their work has been vandalized. Art is supposed toinvoke a response from those that view it in a positive way.”
Mosaic technique is known as Byzantine indirect. The artist is CaroleChoucair Oueijan.

Thedevastated artist estimates the cost for repairs at approximately $3,500, whichshe says is mostly the labor involved. Monrovia’s Art in Public Places wasexpected to approve the repair funds Wednesday evening.

Thissculptural mosaic rises from the earth across the plaza at the Monrovia GoldLine station, welcoming and bidding farewell to the travelers who benefit fromthe fruits of his long-lasting labors each and every day — echoing theintersection between Monrovia’s old and new. The CorTen steel panels pay homageto Bartlett’s ambition for the city’s growth while humbly maintaining its richcultural history. The angled panels are oriented for viewing from every angle alongthe station, reflecting Bartlett’s earnest interest for everyone, everywhere inhis community.

The suspectis described as a male Hispanic in his 40s, approximately 5-foot-10 and about180 pounds. He was seen wearing a green jacket and carrying a machete or verylarge knife.

Anyone withinformation should call Monrovia PD at (626) 256-8000.

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