Walker removes painting of voiceless kids from Gov mansion



"Wishes in the Wind," by David Lenz

You would think a painting about the hopes and dreams of Wisconsin children wouldn't be controversial. Then again, you might not have thought a mural depicting the history of labor in Maine would send the wrong message, either.

Koch whore Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has taken down the painting of three children -- one African-American, one Latino and one Caucasian -- from the fireplace mantel in the drawing room of the Governor's Mansion. The foundation that runs the residence commissioned the painting to remind the mansion's inhabitants of the people they represent.

The artist, David Lenz, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel the painting's removal seemed symbolic because Walker's proposed budget cuts would have a disproportionate impact on poor children. Lenz told the newspaper,

You would think we could all agree on the need to support the hopes and dreams of children.

 Reports the Journal-Sentinel:

In an interview, Lenz said he carefully selected the three children portrayed in "Wishes in the Wind."

The African-American girl, featured in a Journal Sentinel column on homelessness, spent three months at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission with her mother. The Hispanic girl is a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. And the boy's father and brother were killed by a drunken driver in 2009.

"The homeless, central city children and victims of drunk drivers normally do not have a voice in politics," Lenz explained in an email. "This painting was an opportunity for future governors to look these three children in the eye, and I hope, contemplate how their public policies might affect them and other children like them."

He added: "I guess that was a conversation Governor Walker did not want to have."

Lenz, btw, is an amazing artist. Here's his website.