"...a sexually explicit caricature involving President Bush, an Arab sheik and a barrel of oil..."

Art Director Fired After TV Discussion

Friday July 22 8:41 PM ET

An art gallery director says she was fired for talking on television about a sexually explicit caricature involving President Bush, an Arab sheik and a barrel of oil.

Susan Buzzi was the Broward Art Guild's executive director and had worked with its gallery for more than 10 years.

Buzzi and Alfred Phillips, who painted the piece, were among several people interviewed by comedian Ed Helms in a spoof news report of the art controversy on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" several weeks ago.

Buzzi said she was told Wednesday that her "services are no longer required" at the gallery.

"I certainly didn't expect this," she said Friday as helpers scooped up belongings and loaded them into a waiting car.

Guild board members assured Phillips that Buzzi's firing had nothing to do with exhibiting his work or appearing on the comedy show.

"However, I think the board members used poor judgment in their timing," he said. "It gives the appearance that censorship is alive and well."

Julia Andrews, the new president of the guild's board of directors, declined to discuss the reasons for Buzzi's dismissal.

The graphic painting was selected for the gallery by an outside consultant and was sold following the May exhibit.
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On the Net: http://www.browardartguild.org

SOURCE - http://tv.yahoo.com/news/ap/20050722/112209006000.html