Artist Michael Pilato has been painting all night when a reporter calls, and he continues to paint as he talks about “Inspiration Orlando United” — a mural of those affected by the Pulse tragedy that will go on view Monday at Orlando Museum of Art to commemorate the mass shooting at the Orlando nightclub on June 12, 2016.
It’s only a few days before the mural goes on display — the first time all sections of the work will be seen together — but Pilato isn’t behind schedule. “Inspiration Orlando United” is meant to be a continually evolving piece; in fact, viewers will see Pilato working on the painting while it’s displayed.
“It’s called a ‘living mural,’” Pilato said. “We go back and add to it as we learn more stories.”
The mural, which is painted on a series of 4-foot-by-8-inch panels, was created by Pilato and his artistic partner Yuriy Karabash with Chimene Hurst. It features portraits of the 49 killed in the attack, as well as survivors, first responders, caregivers and others who signify Orlando’s compassionate response to the tragedy. Its current size is 44 feet wide by 18 feet wide.
The artwork, which was first displayed in 2017, already has a storied history of its own.
“It has been a long journey,” Pilato said. “It has been a labor of love, that’s for sure.”
When the Pulse tragedy happened, Pilato was in his Pennsylvania home, still grieving his daughter, who had died at age 19 a year and a half earlier. As Hurst suggested the mural during a phone call, he saw the shadow of a hawk — significant to him and his late daughter — pass across his current work.
“I took that as a sign,” he said. “I had no idea of the scope it would take.”
He came to Florida and began meeting the family and friends of the victims. His passion for the project intensified.
“It’s something I had to do. My paintbrush became a weapon, a way to fight back against hate,” he said. “This has helped me heal. It’s a way to celebrate love.”
“Inspiration Orlando United” was displayed in Thornton Park, at Lake Eola, at the Pulse site on Orange Avenue, at Howard Middle School, where students watched Kurabash paint. With each viewing, the mural evolved as Pilato and Kurabash met more people affected by the tragedy and incorporated their stories.
Side projects also developed: The pair painted a mural at UCF of two Pulse victims and a downtown mural of Billy Manes, the gay advocate who died in 2017.
Then, COVID-19 hit, and the world shut down; the mural pieces went into storage, and Pilato retreated to his boat to live. He painted during rough seas — even a hurricane — but with paid work slow during the pandemic, it was a constant scramble to pay for the panels’ storage.
“Every month, the unit was threatened to go to auction,” Pilato said.
But help started appearing from all over the community.
Eventually, Hurst and other supporters rented a U-Haul and salvaged the mural before it could be confiscated. Pilato sold his boat to raise funds and lived in the small Arte Mundial Museum Gallery in Orlando with the mural while he worked on it.
After the gallery lost its lease and needed to relocate, commissioner Patty Sheehan — another supporter of the work — introduced Pilato to artist Will Benton and Faith Arts Village Orlando, the former East Colonial Drive motel converted into an artist showcase, where he continues to work.
United Arts of Central Florida leaders connected Pilato with Orlando Museum of Art for the latest event.
Funding came from Sheehan, the Arte Mundial Gallery and other sponsors, including Del Ambiente, an LGBTQ Puerto Rican not-for-profit; AARP; and the Hispanic Federation.
And Pilato keeps working: Family members of those killed sometimes asked for changes to their loved ones’ images; they inspired a whole new middle section that will debut Monday.
At the June 12 commemoration, community members will make remarks during a time of reflection and attendees will see the newest iteration of the work for the first time.
“It’s a mural that’s never finished, but there’s a point where it looks finished,” Pilato said. “This is that point. I’m excited.”
The museum will display “Inspiration Orlando United” in its rotunda entrance, outside the ticketed galleries so that it can be seen for free.
“It was important to us at the Orlando Museum of Art to honor the lives that were forever changed and offer a place of solace for our community,” wrote Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, curator and interim head of collections & exhibitions, in a statement. “We hope this event provides an opportunity for heartfelt reflection and inspires unity, support and advocacy.”
Pilato said he feels the deeper importance of the work.
“I’m so grateful to the families and survivors and people around Pulse who trusted Yuri and I,” he said. “It’s been a great honor.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.
