Artist

Free Speech Controversy Erupts as Town of Vail Cancels Artist Residency Over Gaza-Themed Artwork

by

Vail, Colorado – The small mountain town of Vail is at the center of a legal battle involving free speech rights after its decision to cancel an artist residency program last summer. The cancellation came after objections to a social media post by Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta artist and muralist Danielle SeeWalker, who was slated to become the town’s 2024 artist in residence. SeeWalker, represented by the ACLU, initiated a lawsuit against the town in October. The lawsuit claims that Vail’s decision to withdraw her residency following her Instagram post, which expressed solidarity with Gaza, infringes on … Read more

Miami Artist Withdraws from Exhibition Over Mandatory Anti-BDS Clause, Highlights Rising Censorship in Art Contracts

by

Pembroke Pines, FL — In a recent turn of events, Les Gomez-Gonzalez, a Miami-based artist, withdrew from the upcoming exhibition “Ebb & Flow: Exploring the Womanhood Continuum” at the Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery. The decision came after discovering a clause in the vendor registration form that required adherence to Florida’s anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) policy involving Israel. This clause, part of Florida Statute 287.135, mandates that vendors do not engage in any boycott activities against Israel. Gomez-Gonzalez, expressing solidarity with Palestine, chose to publicize the issue and exit the event, the only artist … Read more

Jury Deliberations to Commence in Historic YSL Gang Trial: Rap Artist Yak Gotti Among Final Defendants

by

In Atlanta, Georgia, the Young Slime Life (YSL) gang trial, which has become the longest criminal trial in the state’s history, is drawing to a close. Monday evening marked the conclusion of closing arguments by both prosecution and defense attorneys concerning the last two defendants, Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, a rapper known by his stage name, Yak Gotti. The duo is implicated in violent acts across Atlanta, including the murder of rival gang member Donovan Thomas Jr., often referred to as “Big Nut.” The jury is set to reconvene at the Fulton County Court … Read more

Celebrity Tattoo Artist Kat Von D Cleared of Copyright Infringement in Landmark Case

by

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – In a recent copyright infringement case, famous tattoo artist Katherine von Drachenberg, commonly known as Kat von D, successfully defended herself against claims that she used a copyrighted photograph of jazz musician Miles Davis without permission. The case, Sedlik v. von Drachenberg, et al, hinged on whether Kat von D’s tattoo of the Davis portrait was substantially similar to the original photograph owned by photographer Jeffrey Sedlik. The jury, after a brief deliberation, unanimously ruled in favor of Kat von D, stating that her tattoo art did not infringe on Sedlik’s … Read more