A public art installation in downtown Portland has been damaged. The statue, known as Paul Birdyan, is located at the intersection of Southwest 13th Avenue and Burnside. Vandals covered the figure in black spray paint, obscuring its original design.
This piece is part of the Wildwood: Follow the Crows project, which features contributions from 30 local artists across the city. These installations appeared in various locations last week as a promotional effort for an upcoming animated film.
Organizers planned to auction these statues on November 15. Proceeds from the event are intended to support Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, making the vandalism particularly disheartening for those involved in the fundraising effort.
Local authorities and project organizers have not yet provided details on repair plans or the identity of those responsible for the damage. The community is watching to see how the project handles the loss of this specific piece before the auction date.