Found not guilty for the murder of Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman now paints. Waking up to emails of the ebay art work of this man with the above line in the subject bar was not even in my head space.
Ever since George Zimmerman was released he would pop up in the news. Mainly for allegedly for abusing his girlfriend, wife, or traveling with a gun.
Now in the news George Zimmerman original painting on ebay causing the elite art world to bristle like a barista on coupon day.
Jerry Saltz critic for the New Magazine claims it is not artist it is a travesty. "A travesty of justice" "a bit psychotic", "a guy heading for a fall", "Should not be allowed to make the money"
Jerry Saltz On George Zimmerman "A clown making paintings". These quotes from a CNN interview.
Jerry Saltz attacked after his CNN interview over George Zimmerman painting. Here are some of the These are some of the attack comments from Jerry Saltz article in The Vulture: Saltz Messages and tweets sent within 25 minutes of the CNN segment.
"nigger lover."
"Hey asshole, you can't compare convicted serial killers with a guy who was found not guilty. Please kill yourself."
"Your agenda is pretty obvious...gay."
"Fuck you Jew asshole."
"No Saltz, you're a *criminal*"
"On Good Day, you were less an art critic than an Al Sharpton wannabe. You embarrassed yourself."
"You*re piece of shit."
"Faggot."
"Fuck you Saltz."
"I love the way Saltz thinks he can decide what is art and what isn't."
"Zimmerman's art is "simplistic?" Warhol painted a fucking soup can."
"Stay in NY Salz with all those other fairies and niggers"
"You call Zimmerman "psychotic." You're the psycho asshole."
Jerry sticks to his guns and ends the article with "If I was caught in this crossfire, I'm glad I was there. And would do it again in an instant. Silence = Death."
Jerry sticks to his guns and ends the article with "If I was caught in this crossfire, I'm glad I was there. And would do it again in an instant. Silence = Death."
Jerry's Facebook followers were more sympathetic.
Here are some post:
Ciaran Bennett obviously you struck a cord,these right wind bigots have media monitoring services at all times,to deflect any criticism of their prejudices.
Nancy Baker Jerry, you have met the hand of hell. I'm so sorry for you. When you put yourself out to the corporate whores of CNN, you ain't in Kansas anymore. Public personas are targets of really shitty stuff. Famous people are hounded by lunatics all the time.
Mark William Mulherrin The painting was improved quite a bit after Jerry squiggled on it... but not that much. The Gacy painting clowns and the clown making paintings inversion was a nice touch!
Tim Maxwell Would you say those comments you listed were the peak of directed hatred towards you in your career as a critic? Sad, not one creative or insightful hate comment. Excellent job and much respect! wonder what next week will bring, certainly not peace to victims of this madman's actions.
Nafis White I appreciate you speaking so eloquently about this. I just put up a show regarding Trayvon and feel that dialogues need to continue to happen in regard to this travesty of justice. Thank you for seeing this for what it is and for being vocal. What you did was admirable and honest.
Garcia Sinclair The fact that you even went on CNN and stated that Zimmerman got away with a crime was ballsy... Always saying what you feel... Thank you
J Rebecca Trueblood you got more than a mug in payment: buzz is worth more than gold ducats for the likes of you
Susan Jennings Wow. You are brave, Jerry Saltz. I am not surprised by all of these strong reactions. It's amazing that you get this kind of gig. And to think, I knew you when you were only a lad in Alphabet City. I watched it and you did a great job.
Adam Shultz I think this marks the beginning of particularly notorious people making art for rather remarkable price points.
Ede Ericson Cardell I think I briefly agreed with the idea that giving this idiot ANY press at all was wrong, until I read this piece. Then I climbed back on my Jerry band wagon silence = death indeed. This whole thing is a travesty every unfolding moment of it. Convicted of not, his act killed a boy named Trayvon and that act of killing is the only thing that has created a stir around this 'poster'.
Dana Gardner-Clark to speak your truth is allways right and may involve some degree of bravery. Bravo Jerry!
John Post Lee Carravaggio killed a guy over a disputed tennis point, Woody Allen fucked his own daughter, Gauguin was a colossal dick, Carl Andre threw his wife out a window, Pollock killed a young girl passenger, Leonardo was a sociopath, william burroughs, richard serra makes homicidal sculpture, muybridge shot and killed his wife's lover. the evil that men do is eclipsed by their aesthetic celebrity.
Ross Jahnke Good controversial art deserves discussion but bad art by controversial people is best ignored.
Joyce Pensato Just watch the interview you did on CNN you did a good job Jerry, Take back what I said about power the power is in words love your passion ..You stood up BRAVO!!
Bucky Abramovsky Pretty ridiculous response, but an adequate reminder that we're no where near the sort of society that we wish to be in. It's a hateful and vitriolic world out there.
Let it be like water off a duck's back, no reason to let this sort of nonsense effect you. I think another piece of cartoon art says it best...
http://www.jewcy.com/.../Greater-Internet-Fuckwad-450x233...
- Bucky Abramovsky Not a great version of the image, but yeah, the original source:
http://art.penny-arcade.com/photos/215499488_8pSZr-L-2.jpg
- Bucky Abramovsky I think the thing I find most surprising as the above has proven to be absolutely true, it's interesting to see it bleed over to facebook.
Public discourse is at something of a nadir in our society, so what would normally be the sort of thing people only talk about only behind a shield of anonymity is crossing over into facebook and twitter and other mediums where their name is actually, well, their name. (It varies obviously on a case by case basis.)
Though, to be fair, without this sort of discourse we wouldn't have my absolute most favoritre tumblr in existence. If you aren't aware of it, you should be, check out Public Shaming.
http://publicshaming.tumblr.com/
Helen Crawford The interviewer on CNN clearly has not a single idea about art. Jerry you did a great job, and were brave and strong. (Remember it's CNN - where gladiators are thrown to the Lions.)
Michele Basora As I have said many times, being an artist and being married to an art critic/curator I get to see the really ugly side of the art world.
Michelle-Lee White I wonder if Trayvon's mother has writes poetry about his yutz of a father. Nice piece, Jerry.
Justin Jørgensen Any discussion of art on American TV is a good thing. And solidarity fist bump for being called a faggot!
Lauren Levato Coyne I grew up in the heart of Klan land. They did all kinds of paintings. None of them worth discussing. Ever again.
Casey Steggall I thought the interview was good, someone should defend the art world from being associated with Zimmerman, its bad enough that Lady Gaga and James Franco broke down the door, but there is no room for sociopathic simpletons like Zimmerman- Lauren Levato Coyne And I work for a woman who collected that bought that artist who was later exposed as a Nazi sympathizer. Deep commitment to art over here. But....
Hyewon Yi I have sympathy for you. You're courageous speaking your opinion and what assholes those right wing people are!
Jerry Saltz Annie Woodfill: You write, "Yawn, jerry saltz. You're desperate for audience."
My job is to talk about what I want to talk about; I like that you and so many others take it as your jobs to tell me what I should and shouldn't talk about. You take your energy to criticize how I use my energies.
You gotta serve somebody ... ...
Teri Hackett Go Jerry! just another example of how sick our world is and god forbid if art is becoming appropriated by the insane where is Thomas KinK-ADE when you need him..- Annie Woodfill He's just wants to stir the pot! There's nothing life altering or new about this guy. Come. On. People.
Barb Schwarz Karst It's sad to know there are many people filled with hate. Perhaps the kind hearted souls, like yourself, will become more vocal. Possibly Zimmerman is more clever than we assume. He uses "God" AND the American flag in the same image...if you criticize his art you'll be tagged an unpatriotic atheist...demonized no matter what.
- Jerry Saltz Hyewon Yi: You write, "You're courageous speaking your opinion and what assholes those right wing people are!"
My experience is that the Right hates what it hears; the Left hates what it fears it will hear or that what is being done is not passing a finely-hon Purity Test.
The hate from the Left came BEFORE I did anything; the hate from the Right came after and was based on what was actually said.
Which is more mindless and tyrannical?
Your call ... - Annie Woodfill http://youtu.be/qvhW1Kyxpfw
Hero by Mariah Carey Picture Video Lyrics: There's a hero If you look inside you...See More 
- Jerry Saltz Alan K. Avery "You write, "I was asked today to appear on CNN discussing this as well,... ummm... I said no... don't need the publicity or stage... "
So so pure of you. 
Patrick Kissane Thank you Jerry those comments almost are bringing tears to my eyes you did a GREAT job.
Leslie Jahnke Flag, God, words from the Pledge is a formula not art. The real story here is why did he do this and why did he show it to anyone. Could he need money?
Mar Daskolovitz A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit
To satisfy, insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not forget
That it is not he or she or them or it
That you belong to
-Bob
Read more: http://www.bobdylan.com/.../its-alright-ma-im-only...
www.bobdylan.comDarkness at the break of noon Shadows even the silver spoon The handmade blade, ...See More
Millree Hughes The media has only this goulish interest in the art world and you're all we've got to address it. Still we are in good hands. Zimmerman is a violent psycho and his painting is no more or less interesting than John Wayne Gacey's clown paintings.
Steve Amos You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. I think it is better to be damned for doing.
Barbara Gallucci You're point about Zimmerman wanting to BE a cause and to have people to sign on to him ...really smart. So scarey to think of him building cult status and acquiring followers.
Pilita Garcia Esquivel I love that tv keeps calling you to give your opinion! your voice is so accurate/logical but more so in contrast with the tv anchor guy... you are going to become the shaman, and then maybe cnn can become useful- Jerry Saltz For all you prim nitpickers and prisses who can't stop nattering on about how "wrong" and "stupid" it was that I dared refused to dignify what George Zimmerman did was even art; may I refer you to Kara E. Walker's post above which is more or less exactly what I'd done (and which I notice no less than 50 of you 'liked' when she said it):
"Kara E. Walker: "Jerry ... don't accept the pretense that this is art. Treat it like a cruel joke. Turn the fucker out."
Amen, Kara.
PS Do me a favor prisses: Try your fight on Kara. Please. 
Frank J Miles Bravo, sir – you called him out in a public forum that I really haven’t seen yet. What blest chutzpah – and thank you.
- Pilita Garcia Esquivel http://www.aljazeera.com/.../2013/08/201384102857620336.html
www.aljazeera.comGeorge Zimmerman's acquittal was largely due to institutional racism in the United States, writes author. 
Michele Colburn You have every right to speak your mind as an art critic and as an intelligent human being. Silence is not always golden, not a weapon, and is often interpreted as complacency. The right wing idiot backlash doesn't surprise me one bit. Their vitriol is usual and strong over the internet. The ones that refer to death, or if any come in with other mentions of death, those should probably be reported to the FBI or FCC, or one of those agencies..why not?
Lisa Beck You did good in a tough situation. If you get another go at one of these CNN-splaining things, I have one suggestion: try to work in the idea that just because someone pays a lot of money for an object, it Doesn't mean it's good or culturally worthy. Monetary value and worth are not the same thing. This is a common confusion, and is always raised by folks like that interviewer- "but someone's willing to pay 100G!" People pay ridiculous sums for all kinds of crap. It's important to introduce some other measure of worth or lack thereof.
John Michael Gill Great points Mr. Saltz. This celebrity culture is out of hand. In my opinion, the moral compass is broken. The best point you made was about the trouble "He" has put himself in.
Joel Otterson Jerry you were incredibly articulate, point well made!! Not everyone agrees and that is the shock. These haters wouldn't agree with any opinion we might have. Job well done, in my opinion!
Michael Marcon Wow. 100K. Thats a nice chunk of change. And yeah he doesn't deserve 1 red cent of it. I totally agree with you, good interview sir! As far as the "art" being an outlet for Zimmerman, I'll just say what a Art professor said to me at art school; "Art can be therapeutic, but if you NEED therapy then see a Therapist!"
Laura Mosquera Jerry, I read a few of the posts on the reaction to you on CNN - holy shit. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but it still stuns me when I read such hateful, ignorant comments. Thanks for speaking out.- Michele Colburn Most tv news folks, talking heads etc, don't know anything about art, in fact for the most part they are just talking heads, and bad at that as well. They just sorta look good some of the time and can give really good teleprompter. The national art IQ is well below 70.
Susan Taylor Gescheidle Thank you, Jerry, for speaking out about Zimmerman and his "ART." Someone had to try to make sense of this appalling situation, and who better than you.
Abaton Book http://www.washingtontimes.com/.../trayvon-martins.../
www.washingtontimes.comTrayvon Martin’s mother and father are reportedly shopping a book about their 17...See More
Mario Ambrosius Reminds me of the world famous 'artistic performance' of "Tenno Bansai" & "act of suicide" by Yukio Mishima. As long as there is not one renown, established critic in the USA who calls that Warholic "pop- painting" by Zimmerman a "great work", there is no need of public discourse. I can hereby emphasize, as I saw it with my own eyes, that German frame shops restore, as side business, oil paintings of portraits of uniformed Nazi soldiers. Collectors from the so-called "Greatest Nation on Earth" pay huge sums.
Doug Shoemaker Wow Jerry, you sure are getting lots of publicity for yourself on this. Congrats to your PR machine.
Sunny Chapman Abaton Book-the Washington Times?? You have got to be kidding me, posting links from that garbage. Trayvon's parents are writing a book, about what a great kid their son was, unlike the nefarious image of him created by the media. Leave it to the Moonie News to get it twisted.- Jerry Saltz Bernar: You write, "What remains is this— precisely nothing useful came of what you did."
You could be right.
Truth.
Tonight when I was at our deli all the Jamaicans told me they loved that they saw me on CNN talking about how G.Z. is "a murderer." - Sunny Chapman Jerry, I applaud you for speaking out, ignoring these people is not the answer, exposing them for what they are is. Good work.
- Jerry Saltz Doug Shoemaker: You write, "Wow Jerry, you sure are getting lots of publicity for yourself on this. Congrats to your PR machine."
In the art world, friend, we ALL dance naked in public.
Your comment about my "pr machine" strikes me as cynical and self-satisfied in the face of my idea, misguided or otherwise, that the GZ travesty STILL deserves to be addressed as often as possible in ANY situation that presents itself.
You don't; I do.
I'd do it again in an instant - and will if asked.
Cynicism thinks it knows things ... 
Leslie Parke I tried to make a hoodie on Zazzle that was black and on the back had "Don't Shoot" -- they wouldn't allow it.
Nina Irwin I am sickened by the responses you read this morning but, unfortunately, they are just profane and hateful examples of an overall society which shows no maturity nor restraint in any area anymore
Samantha Fields While I'm glad you spoke for the art world (and reasonable people everywhere) and said, "nope, it's not art", I'm sorry you've had to take so much vitriol for doing it! You now have the attention of the far right hate machine, scary.
Vicki DaSilva You should have worn a HOODIE Jerry!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8PQDi4PJqQ
While scouting locations for a new light graffiti piece in Orlando on Thursday, ...See More- Jerry Saltz Nina Irwin: You write, "I'm sickened by the responses you got ... just profane and hateful examples..."
You mean the LEFT wing ones or the RIGHT wing ones?
The right hated what it heard; the left hated that one would dare to discuss this on tv. (before it was even discussed.)
You tell me, which is stranger. - Nina Irwin They were both awful- talk about psychotic. They are both disturbing but the threats to your life? People have utterly lost their minds.
- Samantha Fields While the left can be a self-righteous and holier-than-thou, the stuff from the right is downright scary.
- Nina Irwin On a better note, I saw an original copy of Galileo's first printed book this morning. Let's bring back real thinking and education!!
- Vicki DaSilva Let's hope you don't have to debate any 'art' the Duck Dynasty idiot might decide to make! http://tinyurl.com/kpoowda
Helen Mandley Absolutely disgusted by your emails received by racist haters, though how could a mind as such comprehend any equation which involves art or in this case not art but just a pathetic attempt at rubbing salt in Trayvon Martin's memory. Yes, let's address Kara Walker and her brilliance, lets keep it real, not wallow in deathly, racist ignorance that so many are showing.
As a white British woman with mixed culture children, I find the thought of visiting my family in CA scary, would I, they or my partner be targeted by this omnipresence of black haters, America has become a scarier place since the inner thoughts of racist whites have come out in support of Zimmerman.You said your piece Jerry, you were right too, silence is not the way, we have voices to be heard, good on ya!
Marion Callis I think it was useful - a reality check. You navigated between the crazies who'd reward a monster, the culture of hate that made him, and the ostriches who'd rather ignore him. It's too horrible to reward, repeat or ignore, any of which dishonors Trayvon. Thanks.- Helen Mandley And the left, silence allows things to sneak up on us and before we know it take hold,so address it and kick it out!
- PE Sharpe I went to twitter just now and saw some of the haterade being spewed, including some that Jerry re-tweeted. That shit is crazy.
- PE Sharpe The rest of the world is waking up to the recognition that the art world can BRING IT, right OR wrong.
Stacy Leigh Jerry, I love your BIG huge balls for standing up to adversity by speaking your truth. Too many people lay down and conform. But not you. Thank you for setting an example, and blazing a trail for the rest of us to follow.- PE Sharpe His Thank You Letter To America??? WTF does that even mean? (Either the person who wrote that deleted it, or they blocked me. Either way, GOOD.)
Chuck Webster THANK YOU JERRY. You make me proud to be an artist. That was a brilliant articulation and argument. You were so patient with that dude, whoever he was.
Mia Pearlman I'm sorry you're getting so much blowback from all sides, Jerry. That sucks! I'm amazed you have time to even go on CNN when you seem to write a new piece every 2 days---I can't keep up with all your articles and FB posts. I don't know what kind of vitamins you're taking, but I need some!
Don Kimes First thought in my head when I heard it was whatever the take on this case (and I must say that I think the "stand your ground" law in Florida is repugnant) profiting this way from the death of another human being is just, well, repugnant (not to mention immoral, unethical, disgusting, etc.), but, unfortunately, it wasn't surprising.
Ayn S Choi I think most people were upset about GZ's making money on eBay auction getting $100,000+ off a murder notoriety than anything else. Really despicable. You brought the interview down to the right level... Good job JS.
Sherie' Franssen At first it seemed too creepy to get any attention, but what you said shined a light and it was worth it.
Britt Groosman How you got attacked is a symbol of both the small minds of people and the danger of "no filter" anonymity provided by email & social media. Stay on course Jerry!
Julie Takacs omg. With this piece of writing you turned his negative into something positive--! Keep up the convos! Its the new journalism. Nice ending Jerry.
Van Der Borght Bjornus What a charade, better to ignore these things. Btw, to prove yourself as an artist one needs to work on an oeuvre, before that one can only be seen as a 24h fly.
Laura Moriarty You impressed me as honest, impassioned and confident enough to call out a crap poster that does not even merit discussion as fine art. And despite the haters from both poles, you were very likable without trying to be.
Ricky Darell Barton It's very difficult for some to see themselves in any mirror. Let bad art be bought by bad people it will look appropriate on bad wallpaper. I'm feeling bad now I must go and make some art-maybe it's bad. But I'm good at it.
Susan Carr Wonderful job! I am so sorry about those terrible emails, weird people out there. I am so proud of you as a person to have the guts to get in front of cameras and be naked with your beliefs. You are a great example for us hugs and big thank you!!!
- PE Sharpe I had to block that person who made the comment about GZ's painting being a thank you letter to America for sparing his life - it escalated into a pm that was going to go nowhere, and fast!
Ed Grant I made a comment about Rome drowning in a cesspool. Based on the evidence, my comment stands.
Robin Nicole Jones Maybe......and this is just my opinion, GZ should have been encouraged more in his early life to paint. Maybe...if he would have been, Trayvon would still be alive, and he wouldn't beat up all of his girlfriends. Maybe.....it would have given him somet...See More- Ed Grant Robin, Hitler was encouraged to paint in his early years. Just saying.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paintings_by_Adolf_Hitler
en.wikipedia.orgAdolf Hitler was a painter[1][2] and was deeply interested in art.[1] He produce...See More - Robin Nicole Jones Yeah, Ed, I was going to talk about Hitler, but I was trying to keep it short and positive.
Katherine Block You were able to express your opinion and unfortunately, in this case, the dregs of society expressed theirs right back.
Back to George, is George being inspired by Jasper Johns? Are there hidden messages below the surface. Why is it blue? Is George Zimmerman reaching for some profound message from the sad circumstances of one of the most watched criminal cases in America?
Austin Texas artist Paul Beck said "If this works for George Zimmerman's Painting on ebay, I would not be surprised If he has a pop up art booth at next years Miami art Basel. We live in a strange hyper cheap "celebrity" world. I would not be surprised if he now has a publicist. Sad."
As of now I am Calling for a new art show "The Two Georges'". The show will feature works by the two most famous Georges' of are time, George Bush and George Zimmerman.
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