Artist: Robert Tatum
Confronting Bodies: Community members
Date of Action: 1995
Specific Location: San Antonio, Texas
Description of Artwork: Tatum's untitled mural includes a bare-breasted mermaid, a nude devil, stars, and a liquor bottle with wings. The mural is painted like a cartoon.
Description of Incident: A local screenprinter, Ray Chavez, commissioned Tatum to paint the image on the outside wall of his store to cover already existing graffiti. Community members suggested that Chavez remove the mural, though Chavez disagreed and defended the work. Objectors notified local police police who found the mural acceptable, taking into account its proximity to nearby schools and churches.
Results of Incident: Fearing further vandalism, Chavez covered the mural. Tatum painted the image of an eye and a tear where the original image was featured.
Source: Artistic Freedom Under Attack, 1996
Submitted By: NCAC