Yellow Pavement Robot Mystery: Solved

Yellow Pavement Robot Mystery: Solved

Recently someone asked me about the yellow guys that are stuck on sidewalks downtown. I've always wondered myself, so with the help of the two mightiest knowledge sources in the universe: Google and Jimmy Ogle, I think I've figured it out.

stikman-memphis
Photo via philml69 on Instagram

Some people have called them aliens. I've also heard robots and "voodoo guys", because of the blocky style. However you describe them, these yellowish figures you'll find in several crosswalks downtown Memphis are most likely the work of stikman. 

stikman is spelled on purpose with a lowercase "s" and no "c", and is the pseudonym of an artist who has gone all over the country installing these figures for the last several years. The stickman figure is so curious and so common that the Washington Post did a story back in 2008. Also, here's an interview with stikman from StreetArtNYC blog from a few years ago, if you want to learn more.

stikman-memphis-front-union
This particular stikman is in the crosswalk at Front and Union.

Last year, art blog Wooster Collective published a short post written by the anonymous artist. He explains that he creates a new figure each year, slightly evolved from the previous figure. Judging by the images in that post, it seems like stikman hasn't been to Memphis in a bit: most of his new stikmen are more three-dimensional than the ones I've seen downtown.

The mystery of the yellow guy is as solved as it's going to be: it's stikman, a traveling artist of a secret identity, leaving his mark and instilling wonder and curiosity on Memphis streets. 

stikman, if you're reading this: we dig it. Come back anytime.

If you find any stikmen in Memphis, snap a photo and post it online, tag #ilovememphis and #stikman with the location and I'll add it to the map. Or email me. 

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Maddie
There is also one at the corner of Morrie Moss Lane and Golf Drive outside of the Brooks Museum! I run by it every morning. 
October 21, 2014 3:10pm
Holly Whitfield

Maddie - Awesome! I will have to check it out.

October 21, 2014 3:12pm
SJ
HA! Love it Holly! I've seen them all around, very fun!
October 22, 2014 9:23am
Joseph Cotrone
Thank you so much Holly. I have been wondering about these myself and then I saw one in NYC this summer.
October 24, 2014 10:41am
aparks
There's one on the street directly in front of the main entry of the Memphis College of Art.
October 26, 2014 8:49pm
Francisco Leal
Hi Holly. Thanks for the info. It is very useful! I have found Stikman in Colorado, Michigan, Illinois, and DC...and I am going next week to Memphis. I hope they are still there. Have you found more around? Thanks again-  
April 5, 2015 6:15pm