Monday, April 30, 2007

All I wanted was change for a buck

Earlier today I was reading the message boards at one of my favorite sites, Butch-Femme.com, when I came across a post by the site owner saying that a painting of hers had been removed from an art show being put on by the collective where they (Rhon & her wife) rent space at. The Continental Gin Building is a place where, according to their website, "it is refreshing and inspiring to see fresh, innovative ideas born within the halls of the Continental Gin Building -- ideas that are impacting Deep Ellum, Dallas, and the world beyond." Yet they opted to ban this particular piece stating that is was "not family friendly." So much for impacting the world, eh?

I suppose that would be a legitimate argument (although I believe that every family should see more REAL depictions of cancer survivors) if there were not other nudes displayed at this show.

So why was this piece banned? Was the real reason homophobia? Rhon is queer, an "obvious dyke" (using her own description), is that the reason her work was censored? The people that made this decision assured her that her "lifestyle has nothing to do with it!"

Unfortunately, I can't say since I have no way to know for sure what these people were thinking. I can say with absolute certainty that the "not family friendly" excuse doesn't fly with this old, fat, obvious dyke.

If this piece was banned because the artist is queer than shame on them! Shame on them for underestimating the importance of art such as this piece. Shame on them for negating a very large portion of our society, our mothers, sisters, aunts, and friends who have survived this disease and those who have not.

4 comments:

Daddy Rhon said...

Thanks for blogging about this, SK. I appreciate you.

Second Skin said...

My pleasure. Thank you for visiting my little corner :)

Capricorn Cringe said...

Wow. You're sure throwing around the shame!

You're right though. It's stupid and senseless to ban that painting. And the painting itself is truly stunning, to steal your word. And yes I'm ashamed of myself for stealing it ;)

I think I'm going to steal your idea and blog it, too, in the next few days. Word needs to spread - public pressure is the best weapon :)

Second Skin said...

Thank you, Cap! The more people that know about this the better.