Shawn Stibbards (artist)
Date: 2005
Region: North America
Subject: Nudity Sexual/Gender Orientation
Medium: Painting
Artist: Shawn Stibbards
Confronting Bodies: Artist, community members, North Vancouver Community Arts Council, district council
Date of Action: March 2005
Location: North Vancouver District Hall, British Columbia, Canada
Description of Artwork: Three paintings - one depicting a silhouette of a woman removing her shoes, one of a woman's torso wearing briefs, and one of a torso in lingerie silk-screened with guns, faces, and a man.
The Incident: After citizens complained about the paintings, which were hung in the district hall, the Community Arts Council requested the artist remove them. The complaints centered on the perceived violence against women depicted in the paintings. The artist claims there is no specific meaning but rather the paintings are open to interpretation. Some commentators suggested the paintings would be more appropriate in a gallery, instead of the council hall.
Results of Incident: Stibbards removed the three paintings, hanging a blank canvas in their place. The district council is considering develping guidelines for future art displays in the hall.
Source: The Georgia Straight, straight.com