R.I.P. Avtar Gill “HatMan”
I’m not asking for your money, only your memories and photos! ALL (100%) of the proceeds from this project will be donated to a Cincinnati Charity in the name of Avtar Gill.
All Contributors will be acknowledged!
Kimberly Haywood shares a special memory
January 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Hello,
My name is Kimberly (Smith)Haywood and I had just suffered a massive heart attack six months prior to having had the pleasure of meeting Avtar on Broadway Street while trying to vote early during the primary election to try to reelect Ted Strickland. Avtar introduced himself after I voted and he greeted me warmly. He told me his name was Avtar and I thought he said Avitar like the movie. He said no it is Avtar minus the “i”. Then I told him I just voted. He said he was “the hat man” and he helps to campaign quite a bit taking photos with political officials while wearing his hand made hats with messages and he showed me pictures of him and Mr. Strickland and other important people around town. I told him I too was trying to help Mr. Strickland get back into office by voting and calling voters on his behalf. Avtar told me that he goes all around town with different hats.
There was something about me he must have liked because we talked for 20 to 30 minutes and he hugged and smiled at me several times through out our conversation. He even stated that he wished he could take me up on a “magic carpet ride”. I was so flattered; he made me feel like a special princess. I will never forget Avtar. He will be truly missed.
Jerome Strauss memories on Avtar
January 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Here is my story about Avtar, as well as the picture I took the day when I finally spoke to him. I hope you can use it in your book!
Thanks for taking on this project – it’s great to celebrate people who quietly make everybody’s life a little brighter.
Sincerely,
Jerome Strauss, formerly of downtown Cincinnati.
I lived in downtown Cincinnati between 2006 and 2011 and I can’t really say how many times I saw Avtar during that time – a few dozens maybe? It was hard not to notice him and his flamboyant hats. I always read the messages he was posting, his own public version of a Facebook status update. I smiled at him and mouthed a hello to him on several occasions, but it wasn’t until August 2008 that I spoke to him. He was walking on 4th Street near my office and I decided to ask him about his Olympic-themed hat dedicated to US swimmer Michael Phelps. We ended up having a short, but nice conversation. He explained that the design and text on his hat (which read “Everybody loves Michael”) were inspired by the “Everybody loves Raymond” TV Show.
I wasn’t born in the US and I always like finding out where the people I meet are from, so I felt comfortable asking him. He told he was from India, but born in Malaysia. He said he had arrived in the US some 40-odd years ago. When I asked him how he ended up in the United States, he simply responded “I came on a flying carpet!”. Avtar was clearly not shy about having his picture taken, and when I asked for permission, he kindly took off his glasses and posed for me.
I moved to New York almost two years ago. I’m still quite fond of Cincinnati, and Mr. Avtar is part of what made my life in the Queen City so special. I’m saddened by his death, but I’m glad I had the chance to know him a little and see his friendly face so many times.
Mr. Avtar, there was for sure something magic about your smile and hats, and I hope you are flying to a happy place now!
Photo By Jerome Strauss
Mothers Day Memory from Julie Hotchkiss
January 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I’ve taken quite a few photos of the Hatman–he was always ready and
willing to pose–but I think I like this one the best. It was Mother’s
Day, obviously, and also a Second Sunday on Main, a warm May day with
lots of people around. I had a new camera and was trying it out, taking
pictures of artists, buildings, artwork, spring flowers, and the scenery
in general. Then I saw Avtar (though I never actually knew his name), and
he saw my camera and struck a pose. It’s still one of my favorite photos.
I always admired his lettering, too. I should have asked him if he had a
background in art or sign-painting, but I never did. But most of his
signs used a nice blocky serif typestyle, and the spacing was always
good–not something an amateur can achieve easily. Of course, he had a
lot of practice, creating a new sign nearly every day. I always thought
using the Burger King crown to hold the signboard in place was a nice
touch, too. I’ll miss him, and his signs and sentiments.
Photo by Julie Hotchkiss
Thanks Amy Murray for sharing your photo!
January 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Avtar, You will be missed. Truly a part of the daily life of Cincinnati!
Photo by Amy Murray
Thanks Buddy Jackson for your memory of Avtar!
January 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Photo by Buddy Jackson
Mr Gill was a walking piece of art.. speaking to the man you could never understand much. Most artist are misunderstood however. He used to stop by My work everyday and mumble stories to us at the bellstand at the hyatt hotel downtown. Though we never understood a word we still showed our respect and listened to him in search of some kind of wisdom! He is the true definition of an artist for the way he always left us without an answer. Only questions! He would always put a smile on our faces! That was what he was here to do! He taught us that
Thanks for the Photo Lori Zibulka Knight
January 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Hat Man 3/12/11 at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Ronny Salerno shares his memories of Avtar Gill
January 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
My story:
Yesterday, many citizens of downtown and the surrounding Cincinnati area alike were saddened by the news of Avtar Gill’s passing, even if they only knew him as the “hat man” or “sign guy.” These titles were indicative of Avtar, signifying his recognizable and iconic status of those visiting Cincinnati.
From playoff games to political rallies to other major news events, Avtar could always be found somewhere in the crowd with one of his signs atop his head. It wasn’t an event downtown without Avtar there, boasting a hand drawn piece that read as a news headline.
I first met Avtar in January of 2008. I was majoring in Photojournalism at Ohio University in Athens at the time. I came home to Cincinnati for the weekend to see some friends and complete a class assignment. I had to cover a news event of my choosing and decided upon photographing a Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative march that was going from the Freedom Center up to Over-The-Rhine. I was incredibly nervous about photographing people taking part in the march, so I stood on the outskirts of the crowd mainly making photographs of the backs of people’s heads and the public speakers. About fifteen feet away from me stood a man with a scraggly white beard and a sign on his head fixed into the Burger King crown that was supporting it. We made eye contact and I gradually held up my camera. He knew I wanted to photograph him and his sign and he silently obliged. I made a portrait of Avtar right there, then thanked him to which he slightly smiled and nodded. I felt a boundary had been broken and didn’t feel so apprehensive about putting a camera in front of people anymore that day.
I eventually transferred to Northern Kentucky University and moved back to Cincinnati. Whether I was photographing an event downtown for City Beat, the Cincinnati Business Courier or my own website (QueenCityDisco.com), I always ran into Avtar and would get a photograph of him and his sign. Each time, he would do the same as when I first met him : pose, nod and smile. Eventually I learned his name and would engage in conversation with him each time I saw him with my camera or even if I was just hanging out downtown. I don’t think he knew my name, but you could tell he recognized me every time we crossed paths and shook hands.
The last time I saw Avtar was about two weeks ago. I was coming out of the Carew Tower after having lunch in the diner there. I saw him across the street, sign and all. I shouted his name and waved, but he didn’t hear me. I figured it wouldn’t be long before I saw him again anyways so I continued on my way. Unfortunately, I won’t get to see his signs anymore.
For me, Avtar was more than just the “sign guy.” He was like an ambassador of Cincinnati. The work on his headpieces showed he took great pride in his artistic skills and the city itself. One of the things I’ve come to love about Cincinnati is that it’s a major city, but at times can have that small town, “mayberry-esuque” feel. You can be downtown on any given night and run into someone you know. The people are polite and conversation amongst strangers is frequent. Avtar was the embodiment of this city’s hospitality and unique character. Cincinnati won’t be the same without him, but it has become a better place thanks to him.
So long, Avtar, you will be missed and always remembered.
- Ronny Salerno
Thanks Janet Bond for the photo memories!
January 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Taken at Findlay Market, November 2012
Photo contributed by Janet Bond
Photo contributed by Janet Bond
Michael Plummer from Straus Tobacco shares a memory of Hat Man
January 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Photo Provided by Michael Plummer, Straus Tobacco
Grant and avtar were great friends he used to come into Straus Tobacco everyday and share his wisdom and simple message. He was a great spokesman for Cincinnati, he really made Cincinnati proud , everyone at Straus is so sad they dont beleive another character like Avtar will visit this way anytime soon. His great friend Grant paid tribute all day yesterday with his RIP Avtar miter.