An Ode to Potholes
- Nicole Meisberger
- May 23
- 2 min read
Shannon McKeon hydrodips "hubcap art"as part of her artist collection during May.
She is one of 19 artists featured in the Speedway Artist Collective. The pop-up shop, for
race week is located at 1408 N Main St. and is open 11-7 through race day.
A graphic designer and a painter could describe McKeon, however, her unconventional
art is far more interesting. She paints on car hoods, motorcycle gas tanks, street signs,
hubcaps and other found objects. Part of the fun is having her friends collect these items for her. Some of McKeon's work, including community development, experimental design, event planning and fine art, can be found on her webpage.
"I normally don't really discuss the meaning behind my work because I feel like my work is self-explanatory... But I was recently reconnected with a friend who made me rethink that.
I'm multidisciplinary in my craft and drawn to found objects—items that have lost their original purpose but still carry a story. Two years ago, I began to notice a curious pattern: hubcaps scattered along roadsides, usually near giant potholes. One day, I passed a stretch where four hubcaps were laying almost in a row, and I felt compelled to pick them up. What began as a playful, almost tongue-in-cheek impulse quickly evolved into an ongoing body of work.
Today, I continue to collect and paint on these discarded objects (friends have even started collecting for me as well!). The hubcaps serve not only as unconventional canvases but as poignant symbols of neglect and resilience. Their battered surfaces tell a story of wear, damage, and survival—echoing the state of our crumbling infrastructure. Through bold color, humor, and a touch of whimsy, I use these found materials to reflect on a serious issue: the decay of our roadways and the quiet toll it takes on our daily lives.
My work sits at the intersection of commentary and curiosity, inviting viewers to reconsider what we overlook—both in our environments and in our systems."
Whether you are a car enthusiast, looking for that unique gift or new piece for your man cave, you should take a look for yourself while in Speedway. I've seen some cool VW hubcaps myself! Next time you hit an Indianapolis pothole, it could become someone's new art piece!
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