Works of Two Artists

Alameda County Law Library

125 12th Street, Oakland

Ongoing – October 6

I was a law professor for over 20 years. During most of that time, I taught core, canon subjects. However, once every two-three years, I got to teach my favorite elective: Art Law.

Our focus was on the visual Western arts. We would cover a wide variety of topics, including: What makes something “Art”; Copyright; Moral Rights of Artists; unique CA statutes, and so much more. Well, law students were accustomed to working hard and generally unfazed by the hundreds of pages of readings.

There was one, very special reason why this was one of my favorite courses. Every student in the class was required to make a piece of artwork and present it to the class. At first, this made my students nervous. After all, their right brains had been in jail for years. Yet, every time, I was amazed and impressed by the heart and soul they put into their projects.

I still have the clock one student made. Another hand painted a self-portrait on a silk pillow and then turned that into a quilt. I can still recall the “ooohs” and “aaahs” elicited with another student’s short animation film.

My point is: If ever there was a group of people who needed the joy, peace and Alpha brain waves that art brings, it’s a group wrestling with the law. That is why it is so thoughtful that two artists have graced the Alameda County Law Library with their current show.

John Henry, Photography