04/21/2008
Missouri High School Student Fights Homophobia with Art Project
Amy Burrow, a senior at Independence, Missouri's Truman High School, is causing controversy with a project she did for her '3-D Art Class' which involves a glass school showcase featuring the words "Love Conquers All" over a collage of anti-gay propaganda designed to look similar to that used by Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church.
KCTV reports: "She spent two weeks working on the project for her 3D art class. She was at the school until 10 p.m. Thursday, keeping the project a secret from students until Friday morning...Burrow had created other controversial work at school about abortion, smoking, and all of it, including Friday's project, was approved by the art teacher and the school principal, she said. 'I was just in shock of something being able to happen like this, that our principal would allow this to happen,' said Chris Wilson, a student."
Said Burrow: "I'm happy actually, because at least it involved thought. At least it got them to stop and look at it. People stop me in the hallways and tell me, 'Amazing job. Good job. I love it,' and then other people have said, 'I can't believe that's allowed. That's ridiculous."
Watch the clip, AFTER THE JUMP...
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 3:22 PM EST by Andy in Art & Design, Missouri, News | Permalink
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Ms Burrow is not only compassionate and brave, she's also "real" in her belief that discrimination and hatred are wrong. She works to do something about it.
And as far as straight bigots who use the Larry Craig affair against us: there aint no problem with "gays in the restrooms". It ought to read, "frickin' Republicans in restrooms...mensrooms."
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 21, 2008 3:40:43 PM
Give that girl a scholarship to an art school!
Posted by: peterparker | Apr 21, 2008 3:42:07 PM
kids like her give me a lot of hope for the future.
Posted by: nic | Apr 21, 2008 4:27:20 PM
i shouldn't refer to her as a kid. she is much more mature than that yahoo from colorado in the earlier post.
Posted by: nic | Apr 21, 2008 4:34:30 PM
I have to agree with NIC, she is an inspiration for all of us and a credit to her generation.
Posted by: JerzeeMike | Apr 21, 2008 4:46:54 PM
This girl restores my faith that things may just be alright in the future.
Posted by: Michael | Apr 21, 2008 5:34:40 PM
She should be applauded and applaud her I do!
Posted by: Tony | Apr 21, 2008 5:42:18 PM
This is a seriously fantastic piece of work. Worthy of a place at Tate Modern and a damn sight better than most of the installation stuff that is on show ...
Posted by: atheist | Apr 21, 2008 5:50:26 PM
The faculty approves... but the students want the censorship?!? This country has turned itself so ass backwards over the past 30 years! Good for her.
Posted by: JASON | Apr 21, 2008 7:08:16 PM
"Give that girl a scholarship to an art school!" -- peterparker
I was thinking the same thing but I'd like to see more of this kid's work. Is she aiming to be a legitimate artist or is her interest more in social justice? Or is she trying to get attention and support in the most obvious way?
Posted by: matt | Apr 21, 2008 7:13:31 PM
Bravo. What a cool kid. Hope she keeps up with her art. The world needs her. I hope somehow she knows to read this blog so she 's awarehow much it's appreciated and just how talented she is!
Posted by: Pugzz | Apr 21, 2008 9:14:06 PM
Bravo. What a cool kid. Hope she keeps up with her art. The world needs her. I hope somehow she knows to read this blog so she 's awarehow much it's appreciated and just how talented she is!
Posted by: Pugzz | Apr 21, 2008 9:14:32 PM
I actually contacted Amy earlier today (amazing how easy it is to get ahold of people these days) to tell her that her art was an inspiration to me and a boost in my confidence about my generation. Her response was very modest and she seemed so genuine and kind. She truly seems like an incredible 18 year old...
Posted by: Nathril | Apr 22, 2008 12:46:38 AM
Wow.. are television news stories always this shallow? I didn't even understand what they were reporting on... why were people upset? they didn't address anything at all.
great art project, by the way. very thought-provoking!
Posted by: Allnighter | Apr 22, 2008 3:17:57 AM
This girl must be doing SOMETHING right for those WBC creeps to ridicule her. I saw this piece of art on the news where I live in Boston and thought it was very moving. She's got a future in not just art, but also making something that comes from what's in her heart.
Posted by: Nikaia | Apr 22, 2008 11:30:41 AM
This girl must be doing SOMETHING right for those WBC creeps to ridicule her. I saw this piece of art on the news where I live in Boston and thought it was very moving. She's got a future in not just art, but also making something that comes from what's in her heart.
Posted by: Nikaia | Apr 22, 2008 11:31:39 AM