Artist upset after painting removed from Atlanta airport - KMSP-TV

An artist is upset after being told his artwork had to be taken down from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Vinnie Sherfield's artwork, which was put on display last week, depicts a man in chains facing a guillotine over casting a ballot. He says it's meant to be emotional, but says he was shocked when told it had to be removed on Monday after a gatekeeper said that some passengers complained about the art.

The Douglasville artist said he loves to evoke emotion through his paintings.

"Isn't that what art is supposed to do? Create emotion, dialogue, conversation," Sherfield said.

Sherfield said that the painting depicts voter oppression, and is meant to show the sacrifices made to ensure the right to vote.
 
"You put a lot of time and effort and thought – you're kind of bearing your soul for the world to see," Sherfield said. "For them to say, ‘hey, get that out of here. That's not going to work. It's got to go.' It hurt."

Sherfield says he replaced the painting with one that depicts the economic and housing crisis. He says that he is disappointed that his first painting, originally approved for the show, is no longer displayed.

"I ask myself if that was a painting of the Holocaust, would it have to come down? I'm just simply trying to create a roadmap, a blueprint for a culture that has been robbed of its culture for many, many years," Sherfield said.

An airport spokesperson did not return a request for comment about the incident from FOX 5's Julia Reynolds.