P.E.I. vet college apologizes for asking artist to remove piece showing lemmings and U.S. flag
'Art plays an essential role in education.... We fell short of our responsibility to protect that role'
The Atlantic Veterinary College has apologized to its former artist-in-residence, who quit after being asked to take down a painting he says was censored by the Charlottetown institution due to its political message.
In a statement issued Friday morning, the college acknowledged that asking Christopher Griffin to either remove his painting, The Crossing, or leave his residency was a mistake.
"The decision did not reflect our institutional values, and we regret the hurt and frustration it caused. Art plays an essential role in education and public life — it challenges us, encourages dialogue, and fosters understanding," the statement said.
"We fell short of our responsibility to protect that role."
Painting received 3 complaints
Griffin moved to Prince Edward Island from Ottawa in 2023 and became the regional college's first-ever artist-in-residence last November.
The unpaid position gave him the opportunity to brighten up some of the community spaces at the college, which is based at the University of Prince Edward Island.
While animals are a recurring theme in his work, Griffin said his focus shifted starting in January when Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president for the second time and launched a trade war with many countries, including Canada.
One of his recent works, The Crossing, shows a boat full of lemmings carrying a crumpled and discoloured U.S. flag across an icy northern Canadian waterway.
The college said it received three complaints about the painting, including two from American faculty members.
The AVC's dean, Dominique Griffon, told CBC News on Wednesday that Griffin had recently started creating more "politically charged" art, which did not align with the original vision for the artist-in-residence program.
So Griffin was asked to remove The Crossing immediately, according to a statement he posted on Facebook Wednesday. He refused. Griffon said it was the artist's decision to instead leave the residency.
Many students, faculty and Islanders turned to social media to express disappointment with the administration asking Griffin to remove the artwork. A thank-you card at the college signed by students and staff includes messages of support for the artist.
Artist accepts apologies
The college said it has offered a direct apology to Griffin and offered to reinstall the painting in a prominent campus location. The university has also invited Griffin to come and speak about his work.
"We are also reviewing our internal processes to ensure future decisions uphold our commitments to free expression and inclusive discourse," the statement reads.
"We remain committed to creating space for meaningful conversations — even, and especially, when they are uncomfortable."
In an Instagram post, Griffin said he has accepted apologies from both AVC and UPEI, and agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion at the university where he will speak about his work.
"A huge silver lining is that this event has revealed the deep passion Canadians feel for our country and the values we hold sacred, including the freedom of expression," Griffin wrote.
"Canada finds herself in troubled times, but my faith in our people has never been greater. We are strong together."