Video: Allan Harding MacKay destroys four original artworks in protest at the Harper government

by Jessica Werb on May 11, 2012 at 9:44 am

Well, he did it.

Acclaimed Canadian war artist Allan Harding MacKay followed through with his "art action" protest and destroyed four original works of art yesterday on Parliament Hill. That brings the total of artworks he has destroyed to five: MacKay had already ripped up one piece live on CBC television the night before.

MacKay undertook the destruction of the artworks, which are based on time spent with the Department of National Defense in Somalia and Afghanistan, to protest what he called "the Harper-led Conservative government's abuse of power."

Here is the video of his protest, which unfortunately was overshadowed by the pro-life movement's annual March for Life rally.

Comments (7) Add New Comment
Srsly
May 11, 2012 at 10:10 am
Does anyone really give a sh*t?
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Cdn
May 11, 2012 at 11:21 am
BRAVO to this reknowned Cdn artist, Allan Harding MacKay for his protest against the Harper Goverment's attacks on democracy. It is a terrible shame that this seems to be the only video taken by the MSM & that the background deafening anti-abortion protestors overshadowed this courageous act.
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buzz
May 11, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Somebody nobody knows did something that doesn't mean anything and nobody cares. Seems like usual Straight article.
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Tony Kry
May 11, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Art went, and insanity mingled with disdain now reigns, with naught to combat except the last creators. Too bad we all know of some schmuck in Parliament instead of a creator.
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KiDDAA Magazine
May 11, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Bravo to this brave man. Sad in this great country we now have Harper, the Cons who are more right winged, more warmongering than even the Yanks and centrist Obama.
Lets just hope at some point we Canadians do what the French did vote a socialist non xenophobic left leaning, education loving leader like Hollande. Georgia Straight, Dyer and company great to have media like you that counters the sickening VAncouver Sun, National Toast and all the other right winged Asper Shaw rubbish.
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margot izard
May 12, 2012 at 1:04 am
With anti-choice speeches in the background drowning out Alan's truly pro-life action on the video, this is a gem.

We've got cuts and cuts and the barbaric catastrophe in Libya now books in at over 100 million, not counting salaries and usual military expenses. That other McKay should be out on his snout, pretty gee the shah was great wife and all.

Anyone know why the CBC, BBC and others have suddenly discovered the opposition in Syria is armed and deadly? Maybe the war press are ready for grade three. Shall we send them nice pats and certificates? Or should we hold back until they start admitting that the opposition groups were armed and deadly all along, with much help from the so-called Friends of Syria? Mustn't mollycoddle, eh.
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blueheron
May 22, 2012 at 6:47 pm
I MUCH prefer David Blackwood's art, especially his series about east coast sealers. Blackwood is a man of integrity and his work speaks of the value of hard work and persistence. No opportunistic partisan hack is he.
Blackwood is a great Canadian.
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