Jack Kevorkian, six prints
Date: 2001
Region: North America
Subject: Religious Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Mixed Media Design
Artist: Jack Kevorkian, a.k.a. “Dr. Death” (1928 - 2011)
Confronting Bodies: John H. Tighe, building owner of the Danielson Art Museum
Dates of Action: April 2001
Location: Danielson, Connecticut USA
Description of Artwork: The six macabre prints in question included For He Is Raised--images of giant Easter bunnies pulling a Christ-like marionette from colorful eggs, The Gourmet (War)--a headless corpse preparing to dine on its own noggin, and Nearer My God To Thee--a ghoul-like figure being drawn against his will into an abyss.
The Incident: Kevorkian’s prints were taken from the gallery by the building’s owner, John H. Tighe. Steven Tomeo, director of the Museum at first notified police because he thought they were stolen. He claims that Tighe later told him he had removed the prints from the exhibit because they were too controversial and he was in fear of liability.
Results of Incident: The Danielson police recovered the prints from Tighe and ultimately they were returned to Tomeo. They were not included in the exhibit. These prints and most of Kevorkian's paintings and prints were sold at auction upon his death in 2011.
Source: www.ctnow.com; http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=20010424&id=OqFOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cEwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6988,2410679;