"CURIOSITY"
by Julio C.R., a 24" x 30" original
Acrylic on Canvas - 2014
Located at 1213 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ, Wonder Bar features a painted mural portrait tribute to George C. Tilyou, the late owner of Steeplechase Amusement Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY. Tillie, as the iconic park owner became known, is an instantly recognizable face on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Two mural portraits of Tillie were painted on the Palace Amusements Building and although the buildings were destroyed in 1994 after more than 100 years on the shore the original murals were preserved and are maintained by the City of Asbury. This acrylic work by Julio, inspired by an original photograph reveals a peaking Tillie and leaves us curious about what is behind both the bright blue and white gate and the glass doors. This coming weekend (4/18/14), for example, McCauley Culkin will be playing a pizza box as drums!
