Art is subjective – and yet, the beauty that radiates from each of Thomas “Detour” Evans’ murals is undeniable.
His bold use of color draws the eye to each pronounced feature of his subjects, inviting onlookers to explore the stories behind their carefully curated designs. His ability to turn blank urban canvases into sprawling showcases of cultural history is a unique gift, and one that has transformed public spaces in Denver and around the world.
Detour is an artistic genius, but his contributions to society go far beyond painted memorializations. His prominence transcends surface-level appreciation of his artistry and calls attention to the powerful meaning behind his creations.
A true Renaissance Man, the mixed-media creator’s signature style is a nod to culturally significant moments in time, with themes of social justice, empowerment and influence embedded in each stroke of his brush.
The emergence of Detour’s work on walls around the Mile High City has given it a fresh, new energy; and now, travelers commuting through one of the world’s busiest airports will have a chance to experience his latest original work.
Infinity, and Beyond
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Denver International Airport (DEN) unveiled Detour’s dynamic new installation in Concourse B, completing a three-year commission.
Initiated by the DEN Public Art and Exhibits Master Plan in 2021, a diverse selection panel comprised of cultural professionals and civic leaders meticulously reviewed proposals from local and international artists as part of a $1.5 billion concourse expansion program.
Detour’s proposal, distinguished by an innovative 3D rendering, demonstrated a thoughtful and visually-appealing fusion of community engagement and inclusivity. Following a comprehensive and competitive process, the proposal was selected as the perfect addition to the newly renovated space.
Titled, “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” the captivating sculpture is composed entirely of upcycled luggage and memorabilia. From afar, the piece takes the shape of an infinity symbol, alluding to the fact that airports are always open; but upon approach, a singular loop is evident.
At the unveiling, Detour explained that the loop represents takeoff and landing – taking off into the morning and landing at night; taking off into the night and landing at sunrise.
Suspended near Gate B60, the 30-foot long, 20-foot wide installation weighs nearly three tons and features nearly 200 pieces in the majestic colors of Colorado’s sunsets. It symbolizes powerful messages of connection, community and the constant motion of life.
“It really just talks about the never-ending journey that we’re all on, and the bags that we use to carry the things that we hold valuable,” says the virtuoso.
“When you’re going on a trip and packing for the trip, you bring things that you think you need; and you get to the place, you gain experience, you have fun, you collect things. Then, when you’re on the way back, you’ve got to figure out what you’re going to bring (because you can’t bring everything through TSA). So sometimes, you have to leave stuff.”
“There’s this space of economy that sort of happens. That’s something that I think everyone kind of goes through,” he continues.
He says that the idea of bags is something that everyone shares in common.
“No matter what race, color, creed, nationality, age, gender, whatever…you all have a bag to carry the things that you need, no matter how far you go back in time.”
The Process
Shortly after being announced as the winner of the public art commission, Detour turned to Colorado communities, extending an invitation for residents to become personally involved in the creative process. In an outpour of support, people from all walks of life donated rolling suitcases, vintage luggage, hat boxes, duffel bags, backpacks and more, filling his creative space with an abundance of personal effects.
“When people see public art, an artist gets paid a commission to create a piece. A lot of times people are like, ‘What is that?’ Why is that a thing?,’” he says, explaining the intentionality behind his public request.
“Now, those stories that people have are able to be a part of the public art process.”
The community involvement served a two-fold purpose. In addition to promoting relatability, engaging people in the process was intended to raise awareness about the importance of funding for the arts.
Another added benefit to using donated luggage was exposure to diverse stories from people from all walks of life.
“We’re all coming from someplace different, and every bag is different. Every bag has a story.”
During the collection process, Detour received a bag from a family who used it to travel to Las Vegas to pick up their adopted child. One man donated a bag that he used at age 10, he and his mother traveled the world with it following the death of his father.
“It’s immortalized, or in a way, encapsulated,” says the artist, reflecting on the heartfelt stories shared by strangers and friends alike. “It’s going to be a part of history in the future.”
To show how the process took shape in real-time, he documented the fabrication process from start to finish, beginning with a look at the enormous frame that shapes the sculpture, and ending with a series of posts about last-minute logistics.
“Shoutout to Demiurge Design,” he added, captioning a video that showed the intense, overnight effort to hoist the massive piece at the end of a travelator.
What He Brought Back
Detour was born in Dayton, Ohio, but early travels and international experiences defined his life and made him the perfect person for the DEN commission.
In his youth, he was a “military brat” – a term characterised by frequent relocation and exposure to different cultures. He traveled with his father, a career military officer who attended the U.S. Military Academy West Point, and his mother, a college professor from their hometown of Georgetown, South Carolina, to Granite City, Illinois; Bellevue, Illinois; and Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he graduated high school.
“It’s fun to grow up moving, because when you’re older, you’re not as afraid of getting outside of your comfort zone,” he says. You’re a little more adept when it comes to learning how to adapt, and learning the uniqueness of different cultures.”
Inspired by seeing so much of the world growing up, his path to becoming an artist began in a surprising way.
Originally, Detour wanted to attend West Point like his father. However, after applying for Officer Candidate School, he tore his LCL and his military aspirations were put on hold.
“It was kind of like the universe saying, ‘You’ve got to do the arts,” he laughs.
Instead of pursuing his artistic passions right away, he moved to Colorado and enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver. In 2008, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business, and in 2012, he earned a master’s degree in business administration, with an emphasis in marketing. He took the LSATs, with intentions of becoming a lawyer, but a 2014 trip to Tanzania redirected his goals and changed the trajectory of his life.
In all his lifelong travels, a Tanzanian walking stick and a renewed sense of purpose were the most meaningful things he’s ever brought back.
True to His Name
Inspired by the title of a breakdancing video he purchased while living in Germany, the name Detour signifies his creative journey and approach to art. It refers to the act of taking the road less traveled, embracing unexpected opportunities and not being afraid of detours or unconventional routes.
While living in Tanzania for approximately seven months in a village called Orkeeswa, he was inspired by the traditional lifestyle of raising livestock, farming and connecting with the earth. His precious walking stick was prepared by hand in a carving process he learned from the village’s children.
“That was really an eye-opening experience for me,” he recalls. “When I was there I was like ‘I don’t want to be a lawyer,’” and then you start to harp back on ‘What do I really want to do? What makes me happy?’ and the arts was one thing that, no matter what I was doing, I always went back to – drawing, creating stuff and being expressive. So that’s what I wanted to do when I came back.”
Detour returned to a plethora of new buildings with inviting, white walls. Eventually, the little boy who sold his classmates hand-drawn pictures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles grew into a man whose fascinating perspective is painted all over the city.
His murals decorate hotel parking structures, apartment complexes and office buildings in every corner of the Metro Denver area. He has completed commissions for major corporations like Netflix, Red Bull and Sprite, and has painted exquisite murals on the campus of his alma mater.
Some of his art depicts city-wide celebrations – like the 2023 NBA Champion Denver Nuggets on Colfax and the Denver Broncos Hall of Fame mural at Empower Field – while other pieces represent deeper meaning – like the portrait of George Floyd, who was killed by police during the Coronavirus pandemic, and John Lewis, a civil rights activist known for his legacy of “good trouble.”
With tributes to local community leaders and historical figures, Detour’s work extends to other cities around Colorado and the world. His murals, paintings and mixed media artwork incorporate augmented reality, music and other interactive elements, and can be found in Detroit, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Boston, Long Beach and more.
A Blank Canvas
In December, fans and supporters of Detour’s latest work rushed to purchase innovative shadow box prints containing mini replications of the luggage and other items used to create the large structure. Designed with specific travel perspectives and themes, the project enhances relatability and community connection, while allowing individuals to showcase special, limited edition pieces of art in their homes.
Making him even more iconic as a multi-disciplinary artist, Detour is known for his authentic personality and collaborative spirit, frequently sharing his artistic journey and inspiring other artists to create from the heart.
He remains dedicated to enhancing the cultural tapestry of Colorado’s public spaces, in addition to enhancing artist experiences with “Art Tip Tuesdays.” The weekly Instagram segment provides helpful information about the business of being an artist – such as tax, intellectual rights and copyright considerations – and behind-the-scenes footage of his dynamic and experimental design process, with recommendations for supplies, fundraising and equipment to help artists succeed.
Now that the DEN installation is unveiled, Detour will travel to Mexico for the first time to participate in Mexico City Art Week. Upon his return, he will continue to scope out fresh, white walls and new projects for Denver residents to enjoy.
Meanwhile, millions of travelers will be greeted by the colorful reminder that life is in constant motion, and the task of deciding what to bring back.
Editor’s note: To learn more about Detour, find him on Instagram @Detour303 or visit www.iamdetour.com.
