Artist: Sheila Pinkel
Confronting Bodies: Chief Administrator of the Parole Office
Date of Action: July 2005
Specific Location: T.H. Pendergast California Parole Museum in Diamond Bar, CA
Description of Artwork: Pinkel's mural contained images of a whipped black slave and racism towards the Japanese prior to and during WWII
Description of Incident: Pinkel was invited to contribute to an exhibit at the Parole Museum commemorating 100 years of parole in California. Her submission was a mural illustrating conflict in the U.S. through history. The Administrator of the Parole Office decided the images were too "disturbing" and the mural should be removed from the exhibit. Pinkel agreed the mural was disturbing, however, that was an important part of her artistic message.
Results of Incident: The mural was allowed to remain on display for the opening event, but was removed the following day.
Source: Artist Sheila Pinkel
Submitted By: NCAC