The statue of late Soundgarden late frontman Chris Cornell located outside the Museum of Pop Culture in his hometown of Seattle been defaced, the museum has confirmed.
The museum told The Seattle Times that the statue had been covered in white paint, adding that they were “deeply pained by this act targeting the memory of a beloved artist in Seattle and around the world.”
Taking to Instagram on Friday, Chris’ wife Vicky shared that she was “heartbroken” over the incident, but urged fans not to blame the statue’s vandalisation to the protests that have been occurring throughout the city.
“My children and I were heartbroken to learn of the vandalisation of Chris’s statue at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. The statue is not only art, but a tribute to Chris, his incomparable musical legacy and everything that he stood for. It represents Chris, who is beloved not only in Seattle, but worldwide,” she wrote alongside a photo of the statue.
She continued, “In the face of this hate and destruction ( and I want to be clear, this was not in the course of riots or protests. It was a threat that was carried out by a single disturbed individual at 6 am in an attempt to besmirch Chris’s legacy).”
She also thanked fans who attempted to clean the statue, which seemed to have been spray-painted with white paint.
“When we were told about it today I cried, my kids cried-your gesture was a reminder of how much more good there is out there and how you the fans show up for our beloved Chris. No matter what, ‘you’re never far away… ‘ thank you,” Cornell wrote. “The statue will be restored. Hate will not win.”
The statue had been commissioned by Vicky Cornell and unveiled in October 2018, showing the legendary singer performing with his Gibson guitar. At the ceremony, Vicky described it as ” a focal point to keep Chris’ memory alive” and a “reflection of his light, a light that shone through his music and touched millions; a light that he used to illuminate our lives; a light that will continue to inspire those in the future.”
Chris Cornell died by suicide in a Detroit hotel room in 2017 at the age of 52.
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