Self Portrait of a Martyr

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Date: 2002

Region: North America

Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion Religious

Medium: Painting


Artist: Cong Lu, "Lucong"

Confronting Bodies: Students at the Art Students League of Denver (ASLD)

Date of Action: November 14, 2002

Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

Lucong.jpg

Description of Artwork: Self Portrait of a Martyr is a depiction of a young Asian man lifting his shirt up revealing his torso strapped with explosives, and a pistol tucked into his waistband.

The Incident: After Lucong's receipt of a Student Best of Show award his paintings was hung in the main lobby of the ASLD. Shortly thereafter, several students complained about the painting, calling it anti-American, anti-Semitic and anti-Christian. These students wanted the painting moved to a less prominent spot in the school.

Results of Incident: The artist's right to self-expression and the artworks placement received the full support of the executive director of the ALSD, the faculty and the board of directors. The painting remained in its location.

Source: NCAC, from an article in the RockyMountainNews.com