S.F. Gallery Owner Attacked Over Abu Ghraib Prison Abuse Art

AP via S.F. Gate ^ | 05/29/2004 | Lisa Leff

[zencat]

After displaying a painting of U.S. soldiers torturing Iraqi prisoners, a San Francisco gallery owner bears a painful reminder of the nations unresolved anguish over the incidents at Abu Ghraib -- a black eye and bloodied brow delivered by an unknown assailant who apparently objected to the art work.

The assault outside the Capobianco gallery in the citys North Beach district Thursday night was the worst, but only the latest in a string of verbal and physical attacks that have directed at owner Lori Haigh since the painting, titled "Abuse," was installed there on May 16.

[Bonaparte]

Maybe she was lookin' in a seafood store and got too close to the window.

[Bonaparte]

Negative press? Not so far. The Chronicle has practically canonized her and she's become a cause celebre with the radical crowd. A mob of them were over there in front of her shop yesterday, waving the bloody shirt.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Okay, I stand corrected.

It's definitely plausible that those were self-inflicted wounds.

Though, I don't know why she would close her gallery if that were the case.

If she is trying to reap the windfall of wall-to-wall media coverage, wouldn't she keep her gallery open and use this "incident" as an advert for herself?

[Bonaparte]

"I'm a nurse; I find it hard to believe that she'd have this much bruising without swelling. The picture isn't that old either because the bruise is still purple (they turn yellow-y after a few days)..."

I meant to reply to you earlier. A little trick sometimes used by malingerers and false accusers in family court is to use the soft, dependent part of the fist to repeatedly bang away with moderate force on the bone around the eye. After awhile, it swells and darkens, looking for all the world like somebody got belted. No risk of breaking anything and only short-term tenderness. That reddened area on her left cheek can be produced in a similar manner using the open palm. Some judges and cops are taken in by it, especially if the "victim" is a tearful woman with a modicum of acting ability.

[Bonaparte]

See posts 128 on -- especially 136, 137. Also, my current post 164. A pattern is emerging.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Will do.

[mass55th]

Thanks for the PING for the updates on this thread. You're right...I think RGSpincich is on to something here.

[Mamzelle]

Color me VERY skeptical. Any IDs on the perp?

Keep in mind that this black-eye might draw attn to otherwise trash-art, and get her a sale.

So, the perp threw one punch to the nose?

[ishabibble]

I've read this entire thread and links with a jaundiced eye. It was somewhere after the Paula Zahn love fest that I started to wonder what in heck was the name of the dead wife of Robert Blake? This woman sounds alot like that.

[Bonaparte]

I don't think there is a "perp." I think the whole thing is a lie for the purpose of breaking her commercial lease without penalty. I don't think she's going for "sympathy trade" in her gallery, since she's closed it down and papered over the windows. However, it wouldn't surprise me if things like benefit concerts are arranged to raise funds for her and to further publicize this "assault on artistic expression."

Punch to the nose? No. The small scabs there look like a mild abrasion. The skin around the right eye, from what we can see of it in the posted photo, looks like it's bruised.

[vikingchick]

Thanks for the update. Please ping me if you find out any further info. Thanks.

[RGSpincich]

More info.

They are passing the hat for security cameras. She claims her rent is paid up for 6 mos. if so this is an attempt to get around the "no subletting" clause in her lease. Wonder if the building owner did a background check on her and required a full years rent up front?

[Bonaparte]

I don't know. I may be able to find out.

However, there appears to be confirmation that the U-Haul was being used by Capobianco and the artists to load the art and take it to an alternate location (scroll to second post on blog page).

Lori Haigh packed up her gallery today after being physically assaulted yesterday because of some controversial art by Guy Colwell on display at her gallery. She received repeated death threats to her and her children. Instead of treating this as a hate crime and offering their security, the San Francisco police recommended she move out as soon as possible. Artists came by the gallery this morning to put their work in a UHAUL and move it to a new location, which might be the tenderloin. Artists and supporters are encouraging everyone to spread Guy Colwell's art all over the neighborhood in resistance to this censorship, and to make your own art in response. Freedom of expression for all!

I think the blog post is by Rene Amini, who did the videotape and posted stills of the gallery closing and protest.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Nice work.

I've never heard of her, but I'll try to check out her blog.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Bonnie Lee Bakely.

[Bonaparte]

From today's Examiner article linked in 172...

Others passed petitions to help Haigh and planned fund raisers. [Here comes Haigh's payoff] Artist Tara Pierce said she would be willing to staff the gallery if Haigh decides to stick with it. "We're hoping there is enough community support to reopen," she said. "It's been so traumatic. People have this myth that San Francisco is the left-wing center of the universe." [SF left-wing? Nah, couldn't be.]

[RGSpincich]

Others passed petitions to help Haigh and planned fund raisers. [Here comes Haigh's payoff]

Just like clockwork.

[vikingchick]

Instead of treating this as a hate crime and offering their security, the San Francisco police recommended she move out as soon as possible.

? Is this normal police procedure?

[Tunehead54]

Go here: Gallery Closed

---

[RGSpincich]

"He cold-cocked me," Haigh said. "He called me a f--king b--ch and said 'I hope your shop goes down the toilet right along with your freedom of expression.'"

Bwhahaha - I missed this the first time around. I'm sure this imaginary Neanderthal man spoke of "freedom of expression". This is too good.