Gay, transgender, erotic art attacked in SeattleThursday, March 2008

A blog reader wrote this story to us of an attack on art;
I thought that you might be interested in this story for your blog.

I am a Seattle photographer with an exhibition currently showing at
the Benham Gallery, 1612 First Avenue (@University), in downtown
Seattle.

Over the Easter weekend the gallery suffered two acts of vandalism in
an apparent attack against the art work on display. The artwork
includes photographs of transgender woman and gay men, among others,
in a show entitled "Erotic Beauty." Three photographs appeared in the
gallery's front display window. On Saturday the display window was
smeared with feces. On Sunday a metal utility cover was hurled through
the display window, shattering the glass and damaging the wall and
floor of the gallery.

Marita Holdaway, curator of Benham Gallery, said in a press release,
"We believe our window was smashed by a person who was challenged by
the content of this exhibition. The subjects of these artworks have
experienced enough of this kind of cowardliness and violence. We are
happy to discuss our curatorial decisions with anyone who wishes to
talk with us instead of experiencing this kind of behavior."

The "Erotic Beauty" exhibition is on display at the Benham Gallery
thru April 12. The gallery is open Wed - Sat from 11 AM - 6 PM. On
"First Thursdays Art Walk" the gallery remains open until 8 PM.

No photographs were damaged in the attack.

The show includes photographs by Fiona Aboud (NYC), Paul Dalquist
(Portland), Sean Newman (Seattle), and David Steinberg (San Francisco).

The Seattle Times: Photo gallery's window smashed.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004303809_gallery25m.html

Below is the press release issued by Benham Gallery curator Marita
Holdaway:

FROM BENHAM GALLERY:
Contact: Marita Holdaway
Phone: 206-622-2480

On Easter Eve a large pane glass window was smashed with a metal Seattle
Utility cover at 1216 1st ave, Benham Gallery.

Saturday afternoon someone spread feces across our windows.

Marita Holdaway, gallery owner, placed this note on the plastic
that covers the broken glass until it is repaired Monday

•We believe our window was smashed by a person who was challenged by the
content of this exhibition.

The subjects of these artworks have experienced enough of this kind of
cowardliness and violence.

We are happy to discuss our curatorial decisions with anyone who
wishes to
talk with us instead of experiencing this kind of behavior.

Happy Easter!•

Censorship is alive, violent and expensive in Seattle.

We would like to thank the Seattle police department for covering the
window
and securing the premise!

If you have any questions please call 206-622-2480 and ask for Marita.