Artist Julian Jamaal Jones creates pieces that acknowledge the beauty and resilience of the Black communities that came before him, while challenging viewers to confront the impacts of systemic inequality. 65/70 Riff is an expression of this exploration, created in collaboration with Brian McCutcheon of Ignition Arts. Through this work, the team aims to memorialize Indiana Avenue and the legacy it holds, while looking to a future where Indianapolis recognizes and preserves the rich history of its Black communities.
The artwork merges two distinct but connected visual languages: the improvisational rhythms of jazz and the hard edges of highway signage. Jazz was the historic heart of Indiana Avenue — a sound, a movement and a symbol of Black creativity and resilience. The highway signage, by contrast, represents the structural forces that disrupted that rhythm, marking a divide between what once was and what remains today. By bringing these two elements together, 65/70 Riff tells a story of loss and remembrance, but also of hope and rejuvenation. Jones wanted to create a piece that not only acknowledges what was lost but also celebrates the spirit of Black Indianapolis — the innovation, the strength, and the unbreakable bonds of community.
Julian Jamaal Jones is a multidisciplinary artist and educator born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. Julian earned his Bachelor’s degree in Photography in 2020 from the Herron School of Art + Design and a Masters in Photography in 2022 from Cranbrook Academy of Art. His unique practice communicates through the historical language of African American quilting tradition by implementing abstract forms and vibrant colors in his works to bypass the preconceptions and open conversations around his Black experience.
Brian McCutcheon is an Indianapolis-based artist using all media to create highly crafted sculptural work, much of which is large scale and public. He is also founder and owner of Ignition Arts LLC, a company specializing in design development, project management, fabrication, and installation of large scale public art projects by national and international artists and designers.
This artwork was created as part of the City of Indianapolis’ Public Art for Neighborhoods program.
