Koi
“Koi” | Jeremy Novy
Milwaukee, WI
Restored in October 2026
Photo by Jeremy Novy
“Koi” is one of Black Cat Alley’s most beloved ground murals, an unexpected burst of life that appears to swim beneath the concrete. Painted directly onto the alley’s floor, the vibrant school of koi creates the illusion of water moving beneath your feet, inviting visitors to slow down, look closely, and experience the alley from a different perspective. The piece plays beautifully with the idea of hidden worlds within urban space, transforming a utilitarian walkway into something magical, contemplative, and alive.
Originally installed in the early years of Black Cat Alley, the mural has become a signature feature of the alley’s visual identity. In October 2026, the artwork was thoughtfully restored by the artist with support from the Milwaukee Arts Board, bringing renewed color, clarity, and depth to the shimmering fish. The revitalized mural ensures that these iconic koi will continue to “swim” through Black Cat Alley for years to come.
Jeremy Novy
Jeremy Novy is a Milwaukee-based street artist whose work blends social commentary, symbolism, and striking visual simplicity. His murals often challenge systems of power while celebrating identity, visibility, and resilience, particularly within LGBTQ+ history and culture. Through stenciling, pattern, and repetition, Novy creates images that are at once accessible and deeply layered with meaning.
Novy played a foundational role in Black Cat Alley’s beginnings: his Monarch Butterflies mural was the first official mural installed inside the alley in 2016. His koi series, including the “Koi” ground mural, is among his most recognized bodies of work, referencing coded anti-authoritarian symbols in Chinese art while also evoking themes of survival, persistence, and transformation.
A graduate of the Peck School of the Arts, Novy’s work has been exhibited nationally and featured in films, books, and public and private collections. He has collaborated with nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and community programs, and in 2011 curated the groundbreaking exhibition A History of Queer Street Art with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
You can see more from Jeremy at @jeremynovy on Instagram.
Photos by Ryan Laessig and Jeremy Novy
