Denver Art Museum sells Mao magnets

by Rita Young

Oct 30, 2009

While visiting the gift shop at the Denver Art Museum last week, I noticed that magnets of Mao Tse-Tung by Andy Warhol were being sold. The manager and buyer for the gift shop, Greg McKay, defended the sale as Andy Warhol art. I told the manager that what he was doing was merchandizing Mao Tse-Tung and that he should reconsider and make better choices than to merchandize one of the greatest mass murders of the 20th century. Andy Warhol has done an a lot of art. Why choose Mao’s portrait? He is right up there with Stalin and Hitler and yet I do not see artsy magnets of either of them…..apparantly Mao’s atrocities to mankind are not as well publicized and so can be sold without the outrage a Hitler or Stalin may invoke. If this bothers you than feel free to contact Greg McKay at the art museum ( 720 865 5000) or better yet write a letter.

  • Chairman's Committee

    Noted and I will send out an alert to back you up Rita. Thanks for the heads up and reminding me to get over there and see the new exibit. (huge Ghengis fan)

    Oct 31, 2009

  • Rita Young

    Wow. I just received an email from the Greg McKay the manager and buyer for the Denver Art Museum gift shop. He said he will no longer sell Mao Tse-Tung magnets. I guess we really can make a difference!!! Here is his email.

    Rita
    I've been thinking about our conversation and could tell by that you were
    affected deeply, though I've not had any other negative reaction about the
    Warhol Mao magnets I have decided to discontinue as them from the assortment as
    they sell out and not re-buy due to the points you brought out.

    Greg McKay
    Shop Manager
    Denver Art Museum Shop
    100 W. 14th. Ave. Pkw.
    Denver, CO 80204
    720-865-5175

    Nov 1, 2009

  • Chairman's Committee

    Anything can happen when you make a clear and reasonable arguement. I am glad that they will discontinue these items.

    Nov 3, 2009