Confronting Bodies: Management of the building where Mayer's Fine Art is located
Date of Action: July 2008
Specific Location: Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Description of Artwork: Four canvases that collectively depict a woman's nude torso and arms.
Description of Incident: Erika Risko's work, "Martyrdom," was exhibited at Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia without incident. The piece also showed in a student exhibit in Washington, D.C. called "Early Look," without complaint. Mayer's Fine Art Gallery chose to display "Early Look" in Norfolk, including Risko's work. Building management complained that the nude, female breasts depicted in the work were offensive and the piece should be removed from exhibit.
Results of Incident: Instead of removing "Martyrdom," the gallery owner decided to cover the breasts, in an effort to make the building management's demand look foolish. There is also talk of plans to ask guests to design "tasteless" pasties which will be rotated over "Martyrdom's" breasts for the rest of the month.
Source: Phillyist (www.phillyist.com)
Submitted By: NCAC - Lesley Clark