Thanks, Leon

From Censorpedia

Date: 1994

Region: North America

Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion

Medium: Mixed Media


Artist: Michael Duffy

Confronting Bodies: Santa Cruz Arts Commission

Dates of Action: 1994

Location: Santa Cruz California

Description of Artwork: The collageThanks, Leon targeted White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, alluding to Duffy's disappointment with his treatment after leaving the United States Army. A piece entitled A Bunch of Weasels was also challenged in the same exhibition.

The Incident: The Santa Cruz Arts Commission invited Duffy to exhibit his works for three months in a government center. While Duffy was installing the five pieces that he chose, he was asked to remove the two considered more political than those in his original proposal.

Results of Incident: A Bunch of Weasels and Thanks, Leon were not included in the exhibit, though the remainder of Duffy's works were allowed to stay.

Source: Artistic Freedom Under Attack, 1995