Art Critic Obama

MAY 11--When Barack Obama arrived this week for a campaign fundraiser at a Virginia art gallery, one large painting was covered by a curtain and another had been removed entirely before the Democrat's arrival. Obama's staff apparently was concerned that the paintings--both by artist Jamie Boling--would somehow embarrass the Illinois senator, who spoke Tuesday night to a crowd of 500 supporters at Richmond's Plant Zero gallery. One of the paintings, a 6' x 10' work titled 'Snake Charmer,' is a reproduction of the famous paparazzi photo showing Britney Spears, sans underwear, stepping out of an automobile driven by Paris Hilton. The 33-year-old Boling's oil painting can be seen below. The second work, 'Honest Abe,' shows a woman wearing a t-shirt with the words 'Kill Lincoln.' Fans of 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' will recall characters from the 1982 movie wearing a t-shirt with the same slogan (though it referred to a rival high school, not the 16th president). (2 pages)