Shorewood Artist Pleased with New Location for Controversial Painting
Oil painting of children taken down at governor's mansion to be displayed at Milwaukee Public Library.
A Shorewood artist's oil painting that triggered public outcry after being taken down at the governor’s mansion has found a new home in Milwaukee.
“Wishes in the Wind,” by David Lenz, depicts three children of different races playing together along a snowy sidewalk. In early August, it will be relocated to the Milwaukee Public Library's central library, at 814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
“I met with the library director and we picked out a really nice spot on the first floor,” said Lenz. “It’s a very high traffic area and they’re going to fix a light for it. It will be open and accessible to the public during regular library hours.”
The painting was removed from its perch above a fireplace mantel and replaced by a painting of the bald eagle Old Abe, a Wisconsin military mascot during the Civil War. Gov. Scott Walker was criticized for the move and it sparked national attention that surprised Lenz.
“Yes, that was pretty wild,” said Lenz. “I guess that’s because it’s associated with Governor Walker and he’s such a national figure now, such a polarizing figure, that it seems that anything that is associated with him is almost certain to become national news.”
Lenz said public support for the painting has been largely split along political party lines.
“It’s kind of interesting the way it’s broken down,” said Lenz. “If you like the image, you don’t support Governor Walker, and if you do support Governor Walker, then somehow you think the painting is bad or it’s cheesy.”
Lenz summed up his whole experience this way.
“Just very disappointing. I tried really hard to make a painting that would appeal to everyone,” Lenz said. “I spent a long time on it and it didn’t work out. Hopefully, some day it can go back.”
CowDung
4:31 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I heard that Walker removed the painting to replace it with one more appropriate for celebrating the sesquicentennial of the civil war...
N. Peske
5:04 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Beautiful portrait of beautiful children experiencing joy is controversial? What a screwed up world we live in.
CowDung
5:11 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
It's only controversial because Walker's opponents made it into a controversy...
Walker changed the decor to a Civil War theme because of the Sesquicentennial year. He also added pieces from both the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and the Wisconsin Historical Society for the theme. Those who oppose Walker have spun the story into something more than it really was...
Bob McBride
5:09 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
It's a painting. Governor's change them out all the time. Presidents do the same at the White House. I swear to G-d if Walker switched the brand of toilet paper used in the bathrooms in the mansion someone would find a reason to take offense at it and the move would be deemed "controversial". The guy's painting is actually going to end up somewhere where more people can see it than ever would over the mantel in the Governor's mansion. If he got paid for it in the first place (which I'm guessing he did), I don't imagine he was asked to return his fee. I'd think that would be a plus, rather than "disappointing".
I'm sure that right now someone, somewhere is adding this to their list of "Why Walker must be recalled" talking points.
David Lenz
11:15 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The thing that makes this painting different from the redecorating that commonly occurs with every new administration, is that the non-partisan Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation -–the entity that actually takes care of the Residence--- initiated the project. It was their idea to begin with, and it was five years in the making.
Do you remember when Dan Quayle misspelled potato? It was a huge story, not because it said anything at all about Dan Quayle’s ability as Vice President -–many brilliant people are terrible spellers-- it was a huge story because it seemed to encapsulate a narrative about Dan Quayle being too young and inexperienced for the job.
The same thing happened with this story. Taking down the painting seemed perfectly symbolic. Governor Walker and the GOP capped Family Care for people with disabilities, cut aid to cities, cut aid to schools (MPS class sizes will rise), passed voter ID which will make it harder for the poor and homeless to vote, and they raised taxes on the working poor. In short, the least among us will be hit very hard by the Governor’s budget.
Continued…
David Lenz
11:19 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Continued…
Disadvantaged children from the city are easily forgotten in Madison. They cannot make large political contributions, and they don’t have lobbyists. The painting was one small way to remind Governors of the life stories of three very real children and the challenges they face. Of course the library is a wonderful location, but the people of Milwaukee already know all about their own children, I am therefore deeply disappointed the painting was removed.
Thanks for listening,
David Lenz
Bob McBride
6:23 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
David,
So what you're saying is that since you don't agree with anything Walker is doing, to you his removal of this painting is symbolic of those actions. I suppose had he left it up, the irony of him having done so without embracing the power of the image you portrayed of the children in a fashion that you approve of would have been disappointing as well. Kind of a lose/lose either way if that's how you want to look at things. Symbolically speaking, of course.
It's a nice enough painting. Not sure I'd want it hanging in my household, however the library seems like a good place for it. But that's just my opinion.
Personally, I think Walker did the right thing. He's honoring people who gave their lives fighting for a cause that included, amongst other things, the liberating from slavery people who may be ancestors of some of the people represented in your painting. In this anniversary year of that conflict, that's something worth remembering as well.
I also think your portrayal of what Walker and the Republicans are doing is incorrect. I think we've seen evidence of that already in some school districts. Unfortunately, in Milwaukee's school district, the unions are doing their darnedest to make sure things work out the way you think they will. Then again, that district has been sinking for years under its own weight without any help from Walker. Maybe having your painting closer to home can get some of those folks thinking about what they're doing.
David Lenz
9:09 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bob: Actually if Governor Walker had kept the painting displayed at the Residence, even if it was moved to a less prominent location, I would have given him a lot of credit. It would have meant; at least he was open to hearing the stories of these three children. Now it feels like… out of sight, out of mind.
In addition, an image of a racially mixed group of children, happily playing, could have been the culmination of a Civil War display. A “look how far we have come” image. There is racial tension everywhere on earth, and goodness knows we still have a long way to go in the USA, but we have indeed come a long way since the Civil War. We now have a black president, a fact that still seems unbelievable to me. I thought it would never happen in my lifetime.
Bob McBride
9:45 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Maybe he is open to hearing them. Why don't you write him directly on it if you haven't?
I don't know why you're so surprised we have a black president. I'm not, and I'd be willing to bet I'm older than you are. Perhaps the degree to which racial tension really effects people's decision making, whether it be electing a president or their ability to focus on the needs of those in our impoverished areas, regardless of whether you agree with how that's being done or not, has been overstated to a large extent.
I've spent a lot of time in our inner city of the past 30 years or so. While I appreciate the positive image in your picture, it's not what I saw and continue to see on a daily basis. Your image projects 3 children playing in a carefree way in a relatively serene looking neighborhood. While there may be some of that, what's not being portrayed and what might be of even greater effect is a true-to-life vision of what many small children in the poorest parts of our inner city go through on a daily basis. If you'd like to see that firsthand, you don't have to look much further than the area bounded by Richards Street, Keefe Avenue, Port Washington Road and Capitol Drive. I pick that area because I'm very familiar with it and you could drive through it during certain times of the day and survive the trip. It's also small and relatively self-contained.
It's not hopeful. It's not easily reconciled via one POV or another. But it's very real.
Bob McBride
10:34 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Which brings me back to our president. Mr. Obama did not come up from areas like the one I mentioned above. He's "black" only inasmuch as that was the skin color of his father. While that may satisfy some and cause them to look at his election as a milestone of sorts, the real milestone will be when someone who is, at most, two generations from that kind of neighborhood is elected President.
I have every confidence that that will happen in my lifetime.
David Lenz
11:25 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bob: I’m surprised you did not recognize the actual location of the background featured in the painting, it is the 3100 block of N. Holton street, only about three blocks from the area you noted. Yes, I am very familiar with that area.
One of the requirements of the painting, agreed to at the very beginning, is that it should have a hopeful tone. Early on, Jessica Doyle, standing in the Drawing Room of the Residence, said, “We are all about hope here.” I am sure Governor and Mrs. Walker would agree with that sentiment.
And I agree, at the Governor’s residence, visually, a hopeful tone is appropriate. But if the Governor had been interested, just under the surface wrapped up in the lives of the children, were three heartbreaking stories. So the realism you advocate for, was there all along.
Two of the three children were profiled in the newspaper. For Brogan Calvillo, the boy in the middle, go to: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/79775117.html
For the story of Dimitria Campbell, the girl on the far right, and her mom Pearlie Walker go to: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/44614712.html
Now, I really have to get back to work…
Bob McBride
11:49 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Was Governor Walker made aware of the stories behind the subjects of your painting? Assuming someone's going to ask questions about the kids in the picture (just as you assume I should be able to pick out a block of homes 3 blocks from the area I'm familiar with) probably explains your disappointment more than anything.
Not everyone gets as engaged in artwork as artists would perhaps like. I'm sure there was a lot of deep meaning behind the proposed "Blue Shirt" for the airport that Walker couldn't grasp, causing him to veto that installation.
And since, apparently, this artwork was commissioned during the time the Doyles were in residence and, apparently, their input was sought, I still don't find it particularly shocking that the Walkers chose to redecorate. I assume there was something hanging up there prior to the Doyles deciding to replace it with your picture.
Again, we've got a controversy here that, upon further investigation, really isn't one. I'm certainly not comparing your painting to 3 bags of dog poo left in someone's front yard, but it does seem there are some similarities in the stories as regards assumptions about the actions taken and the meaning behind them.
It would still do you well to travel that specific area if you haven't been there. Kids not endangered by homelessness or losing family members due to drunken drivers. Most have "homes" and the family members, if gone, tend to be lost to gunfire, overdose or incarceration.
Desiree Erickson
12:20 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Dear Mr. Lenz - Thank you for taking time to comment on this blog. Thank you for sharing your art. I, and my family, look forward to seeing "Wishes in the Wind" at the Milwaukee Public Library.
David Lenz
12:42 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Before my painting was hung, there was a hand colored lithograph of a bird, “American Robin” by John James Audubon. They moved it into the study, and hung it above the fireplace. I don’t know if the robin was offended, he’s not talking…
For answers to your other comments, see my previous answers.
Desiree, thank you.
CowDung
1:12 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
I guess Doyle is just a hater of nature. What a terrible way to treat the state bird of Wisconsin...
I'm glad Audubon isn't alive to see how his work is cast aside to make room for a reminder of man's never ending quest quest to pave over our wilderness...
Bob McBride
1:02 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
So you don't know if Walker was appraised of the story behind the picture, but you're disappointed he didn't ask and disappointed that he took the picture down and basically disappointed with Walker. Gotcha.
Bob McBride
1:25 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Well there's always a bright side. Imagine if Walker had asked, gotten the stories, left it up and pointed to them and it as an example of the need for his agenda. Who'd be hauling that picture down now?
David Lenz
1:28 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Profiles of the three children were attached to the back of the painting. There was also a newspaper article (with a large photo) on Thanksgiving Day in the MJS. Yes he knew. I requested an official comment about the painting being removed, since I was giving a formal talk on the subject at the Milwaukee Art Museum. I wanted his point of view. Here is the Governor’s reply:
““Wishes In The Wind,” is a lovely piece by David Lenz. We appreciate and understand that the painting portrays hope for the least privileged in our society.
We decided to share this outstanding piece with the Milwaukee Public Library Central, where it can be admired by 560,000 visitors each year.
Hanging in its place at the Executive Residence, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, is a portrait of Old Abe (James Reeve Stuart 1834-1915), a bald eagle—the most famous of all Civil War mascots—which is on loan from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. The piece was displayed in the Women’s Pavilion at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and later hung in the State Capitol.
Governor Scott Walker and First Lady Tonette Walker"
Bob McBride
2:00 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Well there you go.
I think that's pretty self-explanatory and, frankly, the idea of sharing it with a bunch of folks rather than keeping it sitting in a position were relatively few would view it wouldn't be too disappointing.
I don't what could possibly be considered controversial about this at all, unless one was looking for a reason to make it controversial because they just don't like the Governor's politics.
David Lenz
2:14 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bob, this conversation is going in circles. From my earlier post:
Disadvantaged children from the city are easily forgotten in Madison. They cannot make large political contributions, and they don’t have lobbyists. The painting was one small way to remind Governors of the life stories of three very real children and the challenges they face. Of course the library is a wonderful location, but the people of Milwaukee already know all about their own children…
Bob McBride
2:48 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Maybe Doyle needed reminding. Walker was Milwaukee County Executive prior to becoming Governor. I'm sure he's well aware of the plight of children in our inner city. Offer it to the next occupant. In the meantime, enjoy the fact that thousands of people who would never have the opportunity view your painting now will. You've probably gotten more notoriety out of this whole episode than you would have had Walker done nothing with it. You're right it's a circle - a circle of illogical and, apparently, tenacious disappointment. You win. Enjoy your gloom.
Desiree Erickson
3:29 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Mr. McBride - Please, before you post another comment, use the internet to do a little research on the artist David Lenz. You will quickly find that his art work is nationally recognized. In fact, his work was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery (part of the Smithsonian, in Washington, D.C.). Like so many others, when I look at a Lenz painting I feel empathy and hope, not gloom. I hope you will too.
CowDung
3:35 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
What does his national recognition have to do with anything? The same can be said for Audubon and his work...
David Lenz
3:59 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Yes, at the library it will be seen by thousands of people, and I am pleased about that. But it is out of sight, out of mind, for the single most powerful leader in the state, the person for which the painting was intended.
If Governor Walker is aware of the plight of poor kids in the city, why did he raise taxes on their parents? With the Walker budget, the state will collect an additional 49.4 million from the working poor. Is that fair and just?
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/promises/walk-o-meter/promise/548/oppose-and-veto-all-tax-increases/
Bob McBride
4:54 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
He's cutting the earned income tax credit. What that means is that those who don't pay any taxes, yet receive a credit anyways, will no longer get one, or as large a one. This credit is normally applied against Social Security withholding. Let's at least be clear on what it is. The opinion that this amounts to a tax increase is not universal.
So obviously you do have a political axe to grind in all of this.
David Lenz
5:39 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Politifact and Robert Lang, the director of the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, categorized it as a tax increase. Of course, the Walker administration disputes that.
But in the end it doesn’t matter what you a call it, it is 49.4 million dollars less for the working poor families of Wisconsin. I think that is unconscionable.
In some limited way, the painting was meant to help the Governor understand the situation from the child’s point of view. The poor families of Wisconsin will now be even poorer, thanks to his budget.