Name: Local Authorities Object to San Francisco Bay Area Mural

Date: 1985 - 1995

Location: North America

SubjectNudity

MediumPainting


Artist: Various Women Artists formthe San Francisco Bay Area

Confronting Bodies: San Leandro's Zoning Enforcement Commission and local businessperson.

Date of Action: 1994

Specific Location: San Leandro, California

Description of Artwork: A patchwork mural, divided into sections for each participating artist, wrapping around a warehouse.



Description of Incident: Local businessman, Ed Camozzi, objected to nudity in five areas of the mural and to the mural's title, "As in Love, Women make the Difference." The city's Zoning Enforcement Commission rejected the mural citing that it was distracting and could cause traffic accidents.



Results of Incident: Project organizer, Alice Campbell, and her son appealed the commission's decision and began working on the mural simultaneously. The piece was finished before the city council met. Because police found no traffic hazard the piece was allowed to stay. However, Campbell was reprimanded and fined for proceeding without city approval.



Source: Artistic Freedom Under Attack, 1995

Submitted By: NCAC


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