Local CEOs Depicted in Captured Project

Did you see where Wal-Mart Stores Inc. president and CEO Doug McMillon and Tyson Foods Inc. president and CEO Donnie Smith both found themselves among the high-powered business leaders depicted in the recently published book, “Captured: People in Prison Drawing People Who Should Be?”

New York City artists Jeff Greenspan and Andrew Tider commissioned about 30 prison inmates to draw portraits of men and women who they say lead businesses that are guilty of “destroying our environment, economy, and society” by committing “crimes masquerading as commerce.” Profits from the book will go toward Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, according to the “Captured” project’s website. Holding corporations more accountable is part of Sanders’ campaign’s platform.

McMillon’s portrait lay beside a list of “charges” against Walmart that include alleged unfair treatment of its workers and accusations tied to the company’s international bribery scandal, which regularly made headlines a couple of years ago.

The piece declares that Smith should be held responsible for “charges” against Tyson that include alleged cruelty to animals and the company’s ongoing pollution scandal.

We won’t attempt to argue the finer points of the accusations leveled against the two businesses here. But the book is worth a Google search, if only to marvel at the level of artistic talent the portraits display.