Statement pieces to endure & inspire.

Brian Estill

Mosaic Artist

The Lion of Louisville

Artist Statement

The purpose of my story-poem and artwork is simple: to make people laugh, encourage them to get outside and explore Louisville's neighborhoods, parks, and landmarks, and explore their own personal identity. And, maybe inspire a few more tourists to visit this midwestern/southern vortex known as Kentuckiana.

This story-poem is dedicated to all the Brians of the world. I was named after Brian Piccolo, the NFL legend, and I’ve known many Brians and Bryans throughout my life. It’s funny how a name can steer your path. Maybe that’s why Monty Python’s Life of Brian made me laugh. There might be something about the name—Celtic for “strength”—that makes Brians/Bryans courageous and bold.

The story-poem begins at Iroquois Park’s overlook, when our hero—Brian the Lion—faces north towards this panoramic view of Kentuckiana. From there, he offers Indiana a friendly fuck you before turning west, then south, and finally toward East Louisville, where he’s made his home.

This project is a story-poem and a mosaic artwork both titled “The Lion of Louisville.” The mosaic piece was created from trash found in Louisville’s alleys. My mosaic artwoks are inspired by my work as a mason, life in Louisville, service in the US Marine Corps. My artwork is created from mementos, trash, rocks, and scraps of marble and granite that find their way to me somehow.

Brian swaggers through Louisville, mixing silly trash-talk, events, and landmarks. It is a mix of comedy, tragedy, and a bit of shameless self-promotion. We all gotta make a living.

Anyone who walks Louisville learns just how unexpectedly hilly this city is. You don’t notice it from the driver’s seat, but once you get your boots–or paws–on the ground, you’ll think Louisville is one of the hilliest places in the world.

Brian, for reasons known only to him, has given himself a whole lineup of nicknames and titles like “The Butcher of Butchertown,” “Lion of Portland,” “Lion of Oaks and Derby,” and “The Nasty Beast.” At that point the poem more or less took off on its own.

After writing the first version, the killing of Breonna Taylor shook me and our city, so I added her name to the poem in 2020 out of respect. Let’s never forget Breonna Taylor. No American deserves to die like that. Louisville is not perfect and we are working on our flaws. We have many good hard-working people who have made many beautiful things over the decades, and they are still here.

Who wants to deny this is a unique, fun, and stunning city?

Experience Matters

A skilled mason turned artist, Brian Estill’s hands have shaped countless mosaics and sculptures, each piece telling a story rooted in Louisville’s spirit using discarded material and mementos.