Schwenkmeyer's Simpsons Paintings
- Artist/Author/Producer: Karen Schwenkmeyer
- Confronting Bodies: Film Roman Gallery, Gallery Director Phyllis Craig
- Dates of action: April 1993
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Description of the Art Work
- "Treatment," consists of photo images from a Simpsons episode depicting
Homer on strike at his job and text in the form of Hollywood script,
which addresses labor problems.
- Description of incident
- Film Roman Gallery director Phyllis Craig removed visual effects editor
Karen Schwenkmeyer's "Treatment" from the exhibition on the day of the
opening reception. Craig removed the work because it criticizes labor
conditions in the film industry. According to the artist, the gallery
director said there is no interest in displaying works that are
controversial or make a statement. When the artist attempted to
distribute a booklet to other artists featured at the gallery that
explained where they could now view the piece and discuss the situation,
Film Roman Gallery officials threatened to inform Simpsons creator Matt
Groening that the artist had violated copyright law.
- Results of incident
- Schwenkmeyer is currently seeking permission from Groening to display the
work.
Source: Artsave,"Homer Simpson Too Controversial for LA Gallery," No. 4 Fall 1993
Motion Picture & Videotape Editor's Guild Newsletter, "Art Involving
Labor Issues Is Censored" Vol. 14, No. 3 (Summer 1993)
