Date: Thu, 26 Jun 1997 08:08:49 +0000 From: Frank Subject: Please consider linking to this gay pride news story. CONTACT: Denise Erlich at 415-752-5683 Frank Pietronigro, Artist 415-695-0933 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ANOTHER GAY PAINTING DEFACED IN THE HEART OF SAN FRANCISCO DESPITE GAY PRIDE San Francisco, June 24, 1997- A celebrated painting by Bay Area artist, Frank Pietronigro, which was created in honor of the 1993 National March On Washington For Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Equal Rights, was recently defaced while on exhibition in The Lurie Company's Atrium Gallery located in downtown San Francisco. The colorful photorealistic painting displayed a gay man, holding a rainbow flag, proudly sitting in front of our nation's capitol building in Washington D.C. During this act of homophobia, "FUCK YOU," was written across the face of the painting by an unknown person. Security staff discovered the defacement after installation of the exhibit. Frank Pietronigro received a call from a staff member in Property Management of The Lurie Company, a day before his opening reception to inform the artist of the defacement. "The nature of this painting was irrevocably altered by this hateful incident committed here in the heart of San Francisco," stated the artist. "The attack was to the spirit of this work and was an affront to the gay community itself. The loss is significant because this painting, in particular, was created to celebrate Lesbian and Gay Pride." The painting, Kelvin's Majesty, received press coverage throughout the United States and was featured with stories relating to The National March on Washington For Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Equal Rights. M O R E PAGE 2 Frank Pietronigro requested that the painting remain on exhibition, as defaced, in order to educate the public to the fact that homophobia is alive and well in The City. The painting was removed by security and placed into a closet and remained "in the closet" for the duration of the exhibit. The artist symbolically left the painting "in the closet" for the duration of the exhibition. Despite oral assurances to the contrary, the Lurie Company refused today to compensate the artist for this damage to his work. Kelvin's Majesty has been removed from the closet and will be displayed for the first time, as defaced, along with other works by the artist starting July 1st at Josie's Cabaret, 3583 16th Street in San Francisco. Kelvin's Majesty can be viewed, in the original state, at http://www.webcastro.com/gallery.htm The Lurie Company presented a twenty-year retrospective exhibition of work by Frank Pietronigro between April 14 through June 27, 1997 in the Atrium Gallery located at 901 Market Street, at 5th Street, on the 2nd floor. Frank Pietronigro has been actively exhibiting throughout the United States since 1978. He grew up in Philadephia and studied, in the mid-seventies, at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Frank is also a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute. He has served the San Francisco community as an arts administrator through his appointment by the San Francisco Arts Commission to Direct the 38th Annual San Francsico Arts Festival. For more information on this story please call Denise Erlich at 415-752-5683. To obtain a photograph of Kevlin's Majestry, as defaced, during its removal from the closet please contact Rink at 415-263-0795. - E N D -