Art Exhibit Depicting White Officer Standing Over Armless Black Doll Returns To Library
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — An art exhibit comprised of six displays is complete again after an artist was asked to change one of the installations.
Lethia Cobbs, a dollmaker, said a Long Beach Public Library staff member asked her to modify one of her displays over concerns it may offend some members.
The display depicted a white doll dressed in a police uniform standing over an armless, black doll lying on the street.
City and library officials, however, did not stand behind the staff member's decision to alter the display and asked Cobbs to return the doll.
"This was a display that did not follow normal approval procedures and was modified without review and approval of the library director," library officials said in a statement.
Cobbs said the display illustrated her interpretation of recent events.
"I'm satisfied but I'm not happy if it negatively impacts other artists in the future because I feel that we should have the right to respond to current events," she said.
The "Dollandia" exhibit is expected remain on display at the Main Library until Feb. 28.