Petition for Don Bonham's Miss 50

As an artist and academic I am in totally agreement with the arguments presented in this petition.

He was a great man and fabulous artist !

Don Bonham is a truly unique and significant Canadian artist and educator. And yes he was American, but practiced his art in Canada and dramatically impacted the cultural milieux of this country. His work and influence reached far beyond London (his base) and into all parts of Canada. Miss 50 embodies in many ways the peculiar vision and unique position Bonham represents with Canadian Art. He and Miss 50 deserve to be regarded and represented as significant figures in the development of our cultural heritage.

Miss 50 is a piece of Art History which should not be removed from the cultural history of Canada!

Please consider our submission and the future of Miss 50.

De-acquisitioning has sadly become a tool to operate under in order to push forward a new agenda at the expense of the past. No matter your point of view it is imperative to acknowledge that Miss 50, from 1973, represents an important historical aspect of the London art community. Don Bonham helped mold a counter part to the prevailing discourse that existed in London, Ontario. Frankly, Don was seen by many for his opposing views as a thorn in their side. Miss 50, represented Don's perspective and commitment as an artist within the art community. I would hope that a more level headed decision would prevail and Miss 50 would once again enter Western University's, McIntosh Art Gallery collection.

Don's Bonham's "Miss 50" is an important historic sculpture reflecting the incredible art that was coming out of London and should be kept in the collection for future inspiration and enjoyment.

I agree with the ideas expressed in the letter. Get Miss 50 back!

Please keep Don Bonham's sculpture in Canada.

As one of the artist's former students and models I would like to see Miss 50 remain part of the museum's permanent collection.

I concur with the astute and thoughtful comments by others, but will add that Miss 50 can be aligned with the work and actions of the foundational avant-garde, the Futurists, Dada, MAVO (Japan in the 1920s) and Fluxus. I could also align Miss 50 with Duchamp's Etant donnes [sans accents]

Please reconsider, This is an important piece.

Don Bonham and his work represent a unique nexus of art and social significance. His integrity of materials the meticulous execution, his vision, informed by his life experiences as a marine in 'recon' during the Vietnam War era, his respect for Canada and the respite it gave him, and his compulsive realization of a vision that is borderline 'outsider' make him a multi vector manifestation of our civilization, one to be treasured by Canada and its institutions.

As an artist, I have known Don since 1974 and sent him protogees to work with him in NYC. Terry Graff's letter, rationale, knowledge of, and insight into the importance of Bonham's work is commendable. This travesty needs to be reversed in the name of artistic freedom and because it is an essential part of London's art history.

I would like to see a very serious reconsideration of this decision by the MacIntosh.

Sadly, no surprises. Mindlessness is alive and well. Don would laugh.

This work is an important piece of art that has a strong relationship to time and place and should be kept where it is.

Canada, as a young nation still, has so little to call its own unique cultural pieces. Let's keep Miss 50 for future generations to be proud of Canadiana artificats.

Current Cultural assets are our children's and great grandchildren's property = Museums and Art Galleries are responsible for the preservation of the property they have acquire.

I went to art school with Don Bonham and knew him very well. He was an artist who was serious and dedicated to his work. Larry Collins. Former adjunct professor at Massachusetts College of Art and the University of New Hampshire.