KTKZ talked to the Attorney General's spokesperson, Nathan Barankin, regarding the apparent removal of Sacramento Activist artist Steven Pearcy's "T'anks to Mr Bush" artwork this past weekend from the AG's office in downtown Sacramento.
Mr. Barankin has confirmed that the art in question, and two additional pieces, have been moved out the cafeteria as part of a long-standing policy of rotating exhibitions throughout the building.
The "Attorney General Building's Art Task Force" oversees the public art within the building on I street. It was through this group that the move was requested and carried out, with the prior knowledge and approval of Bill Lockyer. Mr. Lockyer's office has a seat on the task force and has great influence into it's recommendations.
Earlier reports stated the artworks were relocated due to concerns over current events in the middle east. A notion that the Barankin confirmed.
Artwork depicting a Palestinian male, clinging to barbed-wire fence before him (pictured), and - quote - "a picture of a church with a Bush head" on it were also taken out of the cafeteria. Barankin denies the action was the result of public pressure to remove the "offensive and Anti-bush" art from the state-owned building. He says the rotation was planned as many as a couple weeks prior, but Mr. Barankin said the AG did not want to appear to be succumbing to the public's request, so the move was put off until late last week.
-Michael Murray reporting for the "Hogue Blog" tonight.
