San Francisco Rethinks $1.4 Million Tom Otterness Art Contracts

"Large Covered Wagon," by Tom Otterness. Photo by MK Metz

San Francisco may terminate $1.4 million in art contracts with Brooklyn artist Tom Otterness after learning that years ago he shot and killed a dog and called it art.

But if the city does, it might lose $365,750 in payments it has already made to Otterness, according to the San Francisco Examiner. According to the paper, the San Francisco Animal Control and Welfare Commission has already spoken against the contracts.

Otterness contracted to create "a series of humorous sculptural vignettes featuring his signature bronze characters as transit riders," according to the San Francisco Arts Commission.

In 2008 Otterness responded to the requests of many McBrooklyn readers who were appalled with his actions. His apology is here.

- Sculptor Tom Otterness Installation On Hold While SF Mulls Old Dog-Shooting Incident
- Artist Otterness Apologizes for Decades-Old Dog-Killing Incident Brooklyn Eagle
- Otterness 'Large Covered Wagon' Feted in Dumbo
- Otterness Large Covered Wagon Installed in Dumbo
- Dog-Killing Past Still Haunts Otterness as Sculpture Comes to Dumbo

Photo by MK Metz

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