Shepard Fairey Arrest on way to ICA Show
I’ve never been known for having a high opinion of the police. Before I go any farther, I should say that I don’t hate all cops, I’ve just had too many bad experiences with officers who seem more intent on asserting their own authority rather than protecting public safety.
Last night, shortly after arriving at the ICA, I was informed that Shepard would not be attending the event because he had been arrested by the Boston Police.
As it turns out, he was arrested at 9:15, on his way to the show by a mob of police cars. He was pulled out of his taxi and held overnight, which resulted in him missing his own show.
Mr. Fairey has been in Boston for over two weeks working on his ICA exhibit, which includes outdoor (street) art. According to the Boston Herald;
Two warrants were issued for Fairey on Jan. 24 after police determined he’d tagged property in two locations with graffiti based on the Andre the Giant street art campaign from his early career, Boston Police Officer James Kenneally said Saturday.
I can’t possibly imagine that the Boston police don’t see the irony and the stupidity in their decision to arrest Fairely under these circumstances. He was invited by Boston and the ICA to showcase his work both in the museum and publicly throughout the city. He was personally commended by Mayor Menino.
This is a person who’s art has help our current president get elected and appeared on the cover of time magazine. In the last year Shepard Fairey has become a household name.
I don’t know exactly what message the Boston police are trying to send with this utterly disrespectful and highly publicized arrest, but they have obviously not spent much time studying Shepard’s work or overarching themes.
For more information on the show, visit the ICA website. I’ve included some shots in the gallery below along with a map of Fairey’s public works in Boston.
Their shit is week. I hope the Boston police are forced to make a public apology for being such baboons.
damn, damn and damn.
I am very angry and disappointed that there was such a focus, allottment of mainpower and tax dollars spent on something as ludicrous as trying to ruin someone’s big night. The man is an artist, a controversial one I will say, but how about all of the women and children that were raped and abused in Boston that night?! Is that a focus for Boston PD? Apparently not…they would rather make a political statement about someone making their city a more beautiful place. RAD. Boston=FAIL.
Great insight here:
http://www.woostercollective.com/2009/02/shepard_faireys_arrest_in_boston_a_first.html
So because he did a piece with Obama on it, and is a high profile artist, illegal activities he undertakes should be ignored?
If the police are going to arrest me for tagging and pasting, then some famous f*cker can be too, and that’s how it should be.