CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity

Another censorship hits CoolTan Artists

Many CoolTan artists currently have work displayed at the Oxford House Gallery in Bethnal
Green, London. This is wonderful for all concerned.
However, two artworks by CoolTan Artists have been censored for display after complaints by
visitors.

Response of the artist:

I am very very sorry to hear my picture has offended people
that visited Oxford House. I felt that as the picture is an
abstract and not realist it would be acceptable for the
exhibition. However, as the picture has offended people,
please could you take the picture out of the exhibition. I am
sorry if the picture has offended people.

Aaron Pilgrim: Picasso & Matisse Pastiche

Response of the artist:

My picture is not meant to be provocative.
The two groups of women stand in an
abstract expressive background. This picture
can be taken in a number of ways and its
nudity should provoke no censure. The nude
has been a long-time motif in Western art. For
the burka-wearing women, they can see their
freedom behind the veil as a strong point, not
a criticism.

Paul Turner: Freedom

Earlier this year, Michelle Baharier has been censored from reading her poem ‘My cunt blushes’
at the Liberty Festival.

CoolTan Arts asks: If artists can’t exhibit their work in community centres and anything
controversial is censored, what about the rights to freedom of expression, artistic liberty and
creativity? Is nudity banned from the public and still a taboo in the 21st century?
Can we only create and display art that follows the mainstream? And who sets the rules?

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