Washington Project for the Arts supports the right of artists to make work that represents their ideas, even if they offend some (or the majority of) people, and the right of museums to show these works of art without censorship. WPA applauds the National Portrait Gallery for organizing the exhibition Hide/Seek, but deplores the decision to remove David Wojnarowicz and Diamanda Galas’ work “A Fire in My Belly” from the exhibition in response to pressure from outside groups who wish to suppress freedom of expression.

Our national museums have a responsibility to show works of art that represent the diversity of artistic expression in our country. Just because works of art are found offensive by a group or groups is not enough reason to remove them from an exhibition, nor is it reason to withdraw federal or other funding from that institution. As Americans we must support an artist’s right to freedom of expression and our citizens’ right to freedom of speech. This holds true for our cultural institutions as well.

Washington Project for the Arts
December 2010

More on the Smithsonian's decisions to remove "A Fire in My Belly" from Hide/ Seek..

National Portrait Gallery bows to censors, withdraws Wojnarowicz video on gay love, Blake Gopnik, Washington Post

Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery removes artwork in response to conservative anger over GLBT exhibition, Maura Judkis, TBD.com

PPOW Gallery has made Wojnarowicz's Untitled (One day this kid...) available as a .pdf on their website. Download the .pdf and read more about Wojnarowicz and his work on the PPOW website.