Bilal Berreni
For artists around the world, the allure of Detroit can be great. The decay. The deep soul. The intrigue. The abandoned buildings can represent a blank canvas with infinite possibilities.
Gina Damron and Romain Blanquart of the Detroit Free Press have pieced together a sad tale of French street artist, Bilal Berreni, 23, who traveled the world, and came to Detroit, only to get murdered last year. His body was finally identified this month through fingerprints.
The reporters write that his travels took him all around the world, to Tunisia where he did paintings on cardboard of folks who had been killed in the revolution. He spent time in a Libyan border to paint images of refugees.
And they write:
The young French street artist came to Detroit, too. He was here twice, but exactly what he did here still isn’t clear. But the trip he made to the city last year was his last, anywhere.
The 23-year-old painter was found dead at the dilapidated Brewster project on Detroit’s east side. He had been shot in the face, and his body was left lying in the street.
They also write:
Now his name is known, but his killing remains a mystery. Detroit police are seeking anyone in the local art community who knew Berreni or had contact with him. Meanwhile, his loved ones are planning a memorial service in Paris on Sunday. -- A.L.
