BOSTON -- Barack Obama is looking a lot like Abraham Lincoln; at least in one work of art.
Artist Ron English was commissioned by Gallery XIV to paint a mural as part of a large show about art and politics.
English painted 12 portraits that combine the attributes of Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln. He calls the artwork "Abraham Obama."
"So it's 12 total images. It's basically based on 12 colors, and the colors move through the face in one direction and move through the background in the opposite direction," Will Kerr, Gallery XIV Boston, said.
The work of art was meant to get people talking, but it is not the conversation that is stirring the controversy. After the mural was legally installed, the gallery's phone began ringing off the hook with people upset that the image was showing up all over the South End.
English had given away smaller posters of the mural, but they were plastered on streets, outside restaurants and even on private homes.
"The image was put on people's private property, and no matter how you look at it, that vandalism," Kerr said.
But as the mural continues to turn heads, the gallery is asking everyone to take the posters down.
(Copyright (c) 2008 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Fire tears through old Lawrence mill Dump truck takes out utility pole in Topsfield Flaming truck leaves cloud of smoke in Framingham Woman trying to cash bad check arrested Hospital security staff to be trained by Boston police Holliston recreates Halloween for boy who had flu Child finds wedding rings that were missing for 30 years Local family feels impact of shooting at Fort Hood 
