From The Hill: The family of American artist Thomas Kinkade is pushing back on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) use of the late artist’s painting to promote what the family views as an anti-immigrant message.
The painting depicts young children walking to school in a quintessential American town. Several children gather around a flagpole as they raise the American flag, and some place their hands over their hearts. The painting is called “Morning Pledge.”
The department posted an image of the painting and added: “Protect the Homeland.”
The Kinkade family reacted with a post to the Kincaid Family Foundation website. They said the department didn’t have permission to use the image of Kinkade’s painting, and they are weighing legal options.
“The use of his artwork was unauthorized, and we have requested that DHS remove the post, and we are consulting with our counsel on our options,” the statement said. “At The Kinkade Family Foundation, we strongly condemn the sentiment expressed in the post and the deplorable actions that DHS continues to carry out.”
“Like many of you, we were deeply troubled to see this image used to promote division and xenophobia associated with the ideals of DHS, as this is antithetical to our mission,” the statement continued. “We stand firmly with our communities who have been threatened and targeted by DHS, especially our immigrant, BIPOC, undocumented, LGBTQ+, and disabled relatives and neighbors.”
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