[lbo-talk] political art

[Michael Pugliese]

http://www.thefileroom.org/documents/dyn/DisplayCase.cfm/id/862
Description of Artwork: Colwell's "The Abuse" depicts scenes from 
photographs of prison abuse in U.S. occupied Iraq at Abu Ghriab prison that 
led to an investigation into U.S. interrogation practices. The painting 
shows nude, hooded men connected to wires standing atop platforms. The 
painting is black and white except for an American flag on a soldier's 
uniform.

Description of Incident: Lori Haigh, the Copobianco Gallery's owner, 
temporarily closed her doors after recieving hateful and threatening phone 
calls in response to the "The Abuse," which hung in the gallery's front 
window. Haigh removed the painting from view for safety, as advised by San 
Francisco police. She has been called "un-American" and was spat at by an 
angry viewer while she worked. One reporter suggested that the painting be 
burned.

Michael Pugliese