Controversy at Death Penalty Art Show

LAWMAKER TAKES OFFENSE TO CAPITOL ART DISPLAY

Execution Images Removed by Houston Legislator

By W. Gardner Selby
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, March 13, 2007

State Rep. Borris Miles removed two pieces of art from public view in the Texas Capitol Extension on Monday, calling them appallingly objectionable, especially with children milling about.
Miles, D-Houston, removed a color painting showing a black man hanging from a rope. In the background, another black man stands behind bars. Miles also removed a black-and-white illustration showing a man tied to an electric chair with the inscription "Doing God's Work."

The Capitol "is no place for this display," said Miles, who is African American. He said the pieces will stay in his office until someone claims them.

The works were part of an exhibit put up by the Texas Moratorium Network, which is seeking a two-year moratorium on executions.

Scott Cobb of Austin, president of the group, said he intends to speak with Miles.

"The purpose of the show is to spark civic engagement around the issues of the death penalty, particularly the risk of executing an innocent person," Cobb said.

In an e-mail to colleagues, Miles wrote, "I was greeted with these images as I walked through the halls of the extension this morning with my two children, ages five and eight. I consider them to be extremely inappropriate and highly objectionable. Capitol exhibits are supposed to serve a public purpose or be informational in nature. These pictures were hung with no accompanying text or explanation.

"I have spoken with staff at the State Preservation Board regarding the process for selecting exhibits and the oversight responsibility for items selected for display. I am sending these for your review and comment on the pictures and the process by which items for public display in the Capitol and Extension buildings are selected and approved."

Miles later called the displayed works "an innocent mistake." He added that procedures are needed for what goes on display.

Julie Fields, spokeswoman for the preservation board, said the agency does not edit exhibits properly sponsored by legislators — in this case, Rep. Harold Dutton Jr., D-Houston. Dutton did not immediately return a call for comment.