News
ADVOCACY PAYS OFF
The Dec. 5 San Francisco Chronicle carried an article reporting on the recent application of moral rights legislation that National Artists Equity Association (NAEA) promoted first in California (1979 Calif. Art Preservation Act) and then nationally with the passage of the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990. Under this legislation, artists' sold works are protected against intentional alteration, mutilation or destruction. According to the article, San Francisco collectors Ann and Gordon Getty have settled a $500,000 lawsuit brought by artist Garth Benton, a muralist with an international reputation, when he learned that the Gettys had “whited out” several of his large canvasses.
This is not the first time artists have used the Art Preservation Act, and the Chronicle article reported also that a $175,000 settlement was paid to artist Kent Twitchell when his mural overlooking the Hollywood Freeway, “The Old Woman of the Freeway,” was painted over by a billboard company.
This, and other examples of artists rights legislation (such as the California Artist-Dealer Relations Law, and the California Resale Royalties Act) came about as a result of the efforts of individual artists who joined Artists Equity and organized for collective advocacy. They brought about historic change that continues to serve the visual artists profession today. There is much yet to be done, and all artists are invited to join in the effort."