Cepeda Brunson, a self-taught artist whose painting of a hooded figure slitting the throat of a police officer went viral earlier in July, started a GoFundMe to raise money for his own personal art gallery and web site.
The graphic image, which Brunson calls "American Freedom Fighter," met widespread outrage after he posted it on social media, and was eventually removed by Facebook and Twitter. Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell was severely rebuked by the team after he shared the picture on Instagram following the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and offered a game check to the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation to make amends.
Brunson's GoFundMe, which he created on July 12, contains his side of the story regarding the disturbing painting:
On July 4, 2016 I posted my painting titled "American Freedom Fighter" which went viral on social media. Because of the recent killings of police officers, the media is using my image as if I am promoting the killings of these officers which is not true. The media is trying to say that my image is connected to a home grown terrorist organization, which is not true. I've receive hundreds of hate mail, I've been all types of n****s, and monkeys for the past week. The hatred is unreal!!
Okay, but why wouldn't anyone come to the conclusion that you are promoting the killing of police officers when the painting is literally a cop getting killed? Of course, people will respond to such depictions of violence with disgust and vitriol.
Brunson goes on to argue that the backlash to "American Freedom Fighter" has ruined his livelihood, and that he deserves support to continue painting:
The media has damaged my name in the art world, my freedom of expression has been taking from me. People have called all art galleries, and coffee shops in North Carolina to remove or never show a painting by Cepeda Brunson. I may have been blackballed from the art world regarding this painting, but I have to continue my journey as an artist for my people. I was only using my talents to express myself. But with the help of my fans and people who share the same views as I do, I can setup a platform for any artist who has artwork that is not excepted in the world of social media.
Brunson does have artistic talent, but such a horrifying and blatantly hate-filled image cannot be tolerated anywhere, let alone an art gallery. And his GoFundMe's measly returns so far (Brunson has raised only $120 of his $5,000 goal, and has not received a donation in five days) are evidence that barely anyone wants to see such "expressions" of hostility towards law enforcement.
Check out Brunson give a lengthy explanation of "American Freedom Fighter" below, in which he claims to have received inspiration for the painting via "a vision":