In 2011 I was showing my work at a gallery in the Tampa Bay area, this gallery was the place I would run into one of the most controversial situations I would ever face as an artist. It’s challenge to me was one I almost failed, but in the end I think it made me a better and stronger artist; if nothing else a stronger proponent for the 1st Amendment right our Constitution has given us as citizens of a free country.
Let me make myself clear – we are NOT a free country if we are not able to express our opinions regardless how diverse, bigoted, racist or conformed it may be. The ability to disagree without persecution is something that sets us a part from the rest and in the end unifies our core values as a country that is truly free. If we lose that ability, we lose our freedom. I know this first hand because I was silenced and the impact is still felt today.
Back to 2011, I get a call from the gallery I was showing my work at. The call said to come to the gallery immediately to discuss a situation. Having no idea what it was, I panicked and made my way to the gallery to see what was wrong.
When I got there the owner of the gallery said “Listen, there are a few pictures you must remove from this gallery immediately because they caused quite a stir here today and I can not risk losing business or patrons over someone’s art.
Shocked, I asked what happened.
They told me a woman had come into the gallery to look around and when she got to your pictures she was highly offended. She told me that she couldn’t believe we would show such offensive pictures in this gallery and how we did not respect the beliefs of anyone else that walks in and patronizes the establishment. She went on to say that if this kind of stuff is seen here again she will boycott this gallery and tell others to do the same”.
I asked what pictures was she talking about, then is when she pulled three of my “Earth Angel” pictures from behind the counter. These she said. They portray God and Christianity.
I was speechless. I didn’t know what was more disgusting the fact that the lady threw such a tantrum that I had to have my art removed or that the owner of the gallery didn’t have the guts to stand up for it.
Reluctantly I took the pieces and I never showed at the gallery again. I was so upset over the whole ordeal I decommissioned the series and hid it away to rot in obscurity. Just a few weeks ago I found the pictures again and it made me realize how stupid I was to let this happen. So I recommissioned them for the world to see again.
What really bothered me about this was one person’s opinion silenced my opinion simply because it didn’t match her views – I mean what makes her opinion weigh in higher than mine. What made her opinion right and mine wrong?
It’s clear she is an athiest who doesn’t believe in Christ or Heaven/Hell. Quite frankly that’s OK; it’s her choice to do so.
Over the last few years I’ve studied a variety of religions from Muslim to Buddhist and not once was I ever converted seeing a picture of the deities or listening to their message. I listened and learned because to make an educated decision in life you have to know all your options. Sometimes those options bring a new outlook or path but sometimes you realize the best path for you is the one you are already on.
With that in mind, the pictures were simply that… a picture. I never intended anyone to instantly transform and convert from seeing it against their will, plus it’s impossible. I wanted to give the viewer a sense of beauty, grace and love with the “Earth Angel” series. If someone’s eyes are opened to Christianity from seeing these photos then that was just in their cards for it to happen at all. It means they weren’t sold on their current situation enough to stick to it.
This happened way before these “safe spaces” and incredible PC (Political Correctness) nature surfaced in the vigorous manner it has but it’s becoming an alarming trend. Agree with us or if you don’t you better conform to our beliefs of face the wrath we shall bestow upon you is the current trend going around.
This woman that complained didn’t believe in Christianity so because she doesn’t nobody else is allowed to express their belief in Christianity. The option was conform or face the wrath we will bestow upon this gallery – they chose to conform to please 1 person, that’s O.N.E person.
I never said the woman had to like my art at all, but if she’s so narrow minded to the point she can’t even come near another opinion or situation that conflicts her beliefs then imagine how miserable she is.
What really gets me is this sets a terrible precedence for artists. Art is all about expression and with that being silenced if it doesn’t agree with someone else’s opinion really means we can’t express ourselves which then means art dies. It also means that other galleries will have the power to limit opposing views of expression for any reason thus eliminating and threatening our 1st Amendment right.
Think about how scary that is that one can be silenced to make someone else feel good and safe… what makes their opinion and views any more important than mine to go to the extreme and silence me. This means WE ARE NOT FREE… we are ruled by a gestapo group of individuals who are butt hurt over a difference of opinion. They use terms like racist, bigot, and retaliation to get what they want… through bullying.
So all said and done I’ve decided to not them win. We have recommissioned the “Earth Angel” series and will continue to grow it out regardless who may be offended along the way. If that bothers someone then simply don’t look at it – nobody’s forcing you to look at all.
You can see the series in our gallery anytime you wish.
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