PEN AMERICA: “My Florist is a Dick” points out society’s blindness to a rigged system and systemic abuse of power.
PEN America said he postponement of an exhibition in Mesa, AZ at the direction of city officials who objected to a piece by Shepherd Fairey showing a skeletal police officer in riot gear, set up a “chilling precedent” and should be rescinded.
> Local officials later reversed their decision following mounting backlash.
PEN AMERICA: POSTPONEMENT OF MESA AZ. ART EXHIBIT DUE TO CITY’S OBJECTION OVER SHEPHERD FAIREY WORK SETS UP A “CHILLING PRECEDENT”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2023
(NEW YORK)— The postponement of an exhibition in Mesa, AZ at the direction of city officials who objected to a piece by Shepherd Fairey showing a skeletal police officer in riot gear, sets up a “chilling precedent” and should be rescinded, PEN America said today. The exhibition Facing the Giant: Three Decades of Dissent, focuses on genocide, social justice, and related themes, was scheduled to open in the fall at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. “My Florist is a Dick“ by Fairey reportedly drew the ire of officials in Mesa. The work, which was part of the artist’s traveling exhibition, depicts a police officer in riot gear with the shadowy face of a skeleton clutching a nightstick with a flower blooming from one end.
Numerous regional news outlets are reporting that the postponement was spurred by a request from city officials to remove a piece from the exhibition over concerns it would offend municipal police officers.
In response to the postponement, PEN America’s William Johnson, director of PEN Across America, said: “The right to freely critique and satirize government is not only a cornerstone of the First Amendment but a grounding principle for democratically-aligned art movements. This postponement sets up a chilling precedent, sending a message that only state-endorsed art is fit for public consumption, and that only state-endorsed ideas should be the basis for public cultural conversations. This exhibition should be allowed to proceed immediately.“
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. To learn more visit PEN.org
According to co-curator of “Facing the Giant: Three Decades of Dissent,” Pedro Alonzo:
This work points out society’s blindness to a rigged system and systemic abuse of power. The use of the sinister soldier-like police officer in riot gear mirrors the riots in Ferguson, Missouri caused by the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson.
The image builds on a previous piece, “I’m Gonna Kick Your Ass and Get Away With It,” which deals with Fairey’s personal experience with police brutality. Having been jailed for putting art in public space, the artist has intimate knowledge of police brutality. Apart from being struck in the face by an officer while handcuffed, Fairey, a type 1 diabetic, has been denied insulin while incarcerated; a life-threatening situation.
The artist explains that the title, “My Florist is a Dick,” is an ironic statement referring to the surprise we’d feel if the local florist was a “sadistic asshole,”but that we should not be surprised that “cops are often dicks who abuse power.”
The flower inserted into the end of the baton is a metaphor Fairey uses to convey non-violent protest.
The skull under the riot helmet is a reference to John Carpenter’s 1988 film, “They Live,” in which an alien elite rules the planet. They control humanity through the use of subliminal messaging in advertising.
My Florist is a Dick. Serigraph on 100% Cotton Custom Archival Paper with hand-deckled edges. 30 x 41 inches. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 89. Comes with a certificate of authenticity. SOLD OUT. Available Tuesday, June 25th @ 10 AM PDT at store.obeygiant.com/collections/prints. Max order: 1 per customer/household. *Orders are not guaranteed as demand is high and inventory is limited.* Multiple orders will be refunded. International customers are responsible for import fees due upon delivery. ALL SALES FINAL.
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