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Who the Diddly Is Putting Up Think-Piece Simpsons Posters Across the City?

By Linze Rice | October 1, 2015 5:56am
 The artist writes
The artist writes "I broke her heart, she broke my jaw" above a drunken Barney.
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Jenna Rose

WICKER PARK — It's well established that Chicago is a city of Simpsons fanatics.

The many murals and homages to the classic yellow-skinned cartoon family have been covered before, but new thought-provoking Simpsons-themed posters have fans looking for the artist behind them.

They also have lyrics from artists such as Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Blu sprawled across them.

From Wicker Park to Pilsen, the posters have been plastered to abandoned buildings and come not with silly quotes, but social commentary (and perhaps self reflections?) from the artist.

At least three of the posters have the same artist signature, JH Jones, whose works appear on vacant storefronts on the city's North and Southwest sides.

Jenna Rose, a hardcore Simpsons fan who took photos of several of the pieces, said when it comes to the Simpsons and words of wisdom, "What's not to love?"

Linze Rice says the artist remains anonymous for now:

One of the posters she found appeared recently outside a vacant furniture store along Milwaukee Avenue with a picture of Homer Simpson wearing a jacket and winter hat. The handwritten text read, "Dear depression, suck my ----."

Another showed a drunk and passed out Barney Gumble with the words, "I broke her heart, but she broke my jaw," written above him.

Other messages are inspired by Drake's lyrics, such as one of sisters Patty and Selma that reads, "Truth hurts, and those thighs heal."

One simply shows a drooling Homer saying, "Mmmm, equality," captured by fan Ryan Bonacker.

Cheryl Wisniewski, who shot some of the photos, took a page from Mr. Burns when asked what she thought of the commentary included on the posters.

"As a wise but surly 104-year-old man once said, 'You know, I’m no art critic. But I know what I hate. And I don’t hate this.' "

Check out these pictures from throughout the city and let us know if you know any of the artists.

Posted on the front of a vacant furniture store in Wicker Park, next to Mild Blend on Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park. [Jenna Rose]

Edna Krabappel is called an "ugly soul" by this poster. The picture-taker says she wishes she could "defend" Krabappel's honor here. Found at 1737 W. 18th St. [Cheryl Wisniewski]

Lyrics from Kendrick Lamar's song "Alright." [Instagram/Josh Mellin]

This picture of Patty and Selma, sisters to Marge Simpson, is paired with a twist on Drake lyrics, "Truth hurts and those lies heal" in Wicker Park. [Jenna Rose]

Ned Flanders, asking the tough questions (and quoting "Amnesia" by Blu) on Leavitt between Division and Augusta. [Ryan Bonacker]

Homer Simpson says "mmmm" to just about everything he likes, apparently including equality. Near Rainbo Club at Damen and Division. [Ryan Bonacker]

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