Wendell Berry files suit to prevent removal of UK mural

The University of Kentucky should halt the removal of a controversial 1930s-era mural that has been at the center of years of race-related, on-campus debate, a national group against censorship and a contemporary Black artist said in a letter to the university.

The National Coalition Against Censorship and Karyn Olivier — the artist who created a 2018 piece meant to contextualize the mural — say that the university shouldn’t take down the Ann Rice O’Hanlon piece that depicts Black workers, possibly slaves, because the mural’s removal would mute Olivier’s accompanying piece “Witness.”

Additionally, a complaint has been filed by renowned Kentucky poet and novelist Wendell Berry and his wife, Tanya, in Franklin County Circuit Court against the University of Kentucky and UK President Eli Capilouto, according to an attorney in the case. The complaint includes a request for an injunction to halt the removal or damage of the O’Hanlon Mural or the “Witness” installation by Olivier.

Read all of "Wendell Berry lawsuit, Black artist try to protect University of Kentucky mural" by Rick Childress and Morgan Eads at Lexington Herald-Leader.

See also: "Removing an offensive mural from the University of Kentucky isn’t ‘racial justice’" by Karyn Olivier at The Washington Post.

 

See also: "Author Wendell Berry sues University of Kentucky to stop removal of controversial mural" by Associated Press at WDRB.com.

 

See also: "Students’ Calls to Remove a Mural Were Answered. Now Comes a Lawsuit" by Julia Jacobs at The New York Times.

 

See also: "Wendell Berry’s defense of mural on UK campus shows ‘Hidden Wound’ was superficial after all" by Bill Turner at The Lexington Herald-Leader.

 

See also: "Here’s how UK could end the mural debate, stop a costly lawsuit and improve higher education" by Linda Blackford at The Lexington Herald-Leader.

 

See also: "Embattled: The Story of the O’Hanlon Fresco" by Abby Wasserman at Front Porch Republic.

 

See also: "UK: Famed Kentucky writer must butt out of decision on mural stirring racial conflict" by Morgan Eads at Lexington Herald-Leader.

 

See also "UK's plan for Memorial Hall mural dishonors honest thought" by Wendell Berry at Lexington Herald Leader (22 December 2022).