Exhibit at Cincinnati Art Museum causing FOP president to call for it to be taken down
A painting on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum has stirred up controversy and anger, especially among the law enforcement community.
In response, the museum even posted a sign outside the front doors saying its staff was not involved in the art selection for this particular exhibition.
"It absolutely is mind-blowing to me that we're there. That we're there in society, that that can be seen as artwork. It makes no sense," Cincinnati FOP President Dan Hils said.
This painting — on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum — shows Winnie the Pooh lying with his hands cuffed in what looks like a pool of blood. Behind him is Piglet, dressed as a cop, pointing a gun at Pooh.
"So it's saying cops are murderers, which I know that is a total fabrication and a total lie," Hils said.
Also in the piece, Tigger is holding a sign that reads, "off the pig."
"So it's suggesting cops be killed. Now I'm getting angry again. That to me is unbelievable," Hils said.
The artwork is part of a larger exhibition titled "Black and Brown faces: paying homage to."
It's presented by Palooza Noir, a Cincinnati-based organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people of color.
The Columbus-based artist who created the controversial piece is Magnus Juliano.
"I want people to take away what they want to," Juliano said.
Juliano showed up to the Zoom interview dressed in a pig costume.
When asked if this piece was meant to imply cops are murderers or incite violence against police, he imitated a pig.
"Humanity is a joke right now if we're more upset over a painting than police brutality. Black people being hurt," Juliano said.
Hils says he wants the museum to take the artwork down even though he says he believes in freedom of speech
"Heck yes I do, and I'm taking advantage of my freedom of speech and saying take that down," Hils said.
People with the art museum declined to do an interview saying it's only hosting the exhibition.
The founder of the exhibition says he will release a statement.