Margery Coffey
Free Mont Flags
15" x 19" x 53"
Found Object Construction 
with art piece
1991

This art piece is a reconstruction in the spirit of the portion of the organic art sculpture that was censored in Freemont Nebraska.  The original piece was the combined efforts of artists richard chilton, Margery Coffey, Arlen Lazaroff and Michael Wetmore.

While the details may vary slightly, the over all effect is the same. There are some changes. The large flag has been turned upside down in protest, with the names of the town I have been censored in so far added to the flag and the "bloodied" flag in the center has been added to this work. Originally it was a part of the show but not part of the flag skull section. 

Burn Baby Burn Flag
 Flourescent Tempera, Marker
on Printed Plastic and wood
20" x 12.25"

view 1

It is interesting to note that the objection was to the depiction of American violence both foreign and domestic by name upon the flag but no objection was raised over the flag that was covered with red symbolizing blood.

These acts were done just before the opening and without notification of the artists involved.  In fact, it was done after the artists had set up the show and retired to get dressed for the reception that was held in their honor.  It was at the reception that the artists noticed the deception.

At no time were the gallery's  policies of restricted art made known to the artists during the nine months planning period prior to the setting up of the show.  In fact, we were told that we could do "anything we wanted to do."

We did not take this lying down.  Mr. Lazaroff, Mr. Yansan-Wetmore and Black Prairie Dog Woman Studios objected, Ms Nichols was unavailable for comment.  When our objections were disregarded, Black Prairie Dog Woman Studios went to the press.  The incident was written up and shown state wide on the front page of  the Omaha World Herald Sunday edition.  What was too risque and political for Fremont, the Omaha World Herald published in their family newspaper.

Has Fremont Area Art Ass. learned its lesson?  No.  In a recent show, an artist hung a nude on the wall and the gallery placed lace undies over it so that the nude was properly dressed for Fremont!