DPD Chief, Mayor Meet With Artist Behind Controversial Work
DENVER (CBS4)- Denver Police Chief Robert White, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and the acting superintendent of Denver Public Schools met with the artist behind a piece of controversial work on display at the Webb Building.
The art titled "Tale of Two Hoodies" was on display at the administration building but has since been removed. It features a uniformed police officer with a white hood pointing a gun at the face of an unarmed black child with his hands up, wearing a white hoodie. In the background the Confederate flag is seen coming through a ripped American flag.
A 10th grader at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is the artist. She asked that it be removed after it enraged some Denver police officers.
White said the student was not trying to offend anyone with her art.
Hancock said the image is a reflection of U.S. history and Ku Klux Klan history in Denver and based on the current climate about law enforcement.
"This has been a teachable moment. It has been an opportunity for us all to learn. And for all of us to continue to dialogue about the issues of today. And to recognize that the children are watching," said Hancock.
White joined Hancock and DPS acting superintendent Susan Cordova at a private meeting with the student on Friday morning.
"It is our responsibility to mitigate that, that portrayal and that can only be done by having meetings like we had today with this young lady. Listening to people, 'You did that, why did you do that? What does that stand for?'" asked White.
"The conversation that we just concluded really was an example of how a piece of art can open up a dialogue, a conversation, a two-way dialogue and a conversation, something I think is important for our students to understand," said Cordova.
White also said it was clear to him in the meeting the student who created the artwork does value police. He said there is still a long way to go to change how police are portrayed.
"We've come a long way but we're not where we want to be," said White.
"We really do fall back on this belief that art can transform lives. It gives us the power to question, to confront, to explore and to challenge how we think about the world," said Cordova.
Denver Public Schools provided this information about the art selection process:
About the Process for the Citywide Art Exhibition:
- Each year, following the citywide art exhibitions, city and school district staff debrief these signature celebrations. This year, part of our discussion will be focused on the selection process for pieces that are displayed in public buildings across the city. DPS and the City have partnered on these celebrations since 2009 and look forward to continued celebrations of student artistic expression in the years to come.
- More information about the process:
o DPS has partnered with Denver Arts and Venues on the citywide arts exhibitions since 2009. Arts and Venues secures space for DPS to display student artwork. This particular exhibit containing 40 pieces of art went on display March 14.
o DPS handles all aspects of the exhibit, from the submissions process to the approval of selected works to the physical hanging and removal of the exhibit pieces. At the high school level, a two-member jury of community arts representatives assists in the selection process. City officials do not review the pieces at any time prior to exhibit.
o Depictions of weapons are generally prohibited. In this instance, since this was the only piece of art submitted by this teacher, and since the piece was relevant to current events and important topics for students and our society, DPS approved inclusion of this piece.
