Thanks, Leon
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