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Two
Islamic-themed artworks have been banned from an exhibition amid
fears they could cause offence.
 We
have a diverse community in Walsall and I believe these two
images would cause problems we just don't need in Walsall.
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| Walsall
Council spokesman |
Walsall
Metropolitan Borough Council ordered the art to be removed from
the town's New Art Gallery, which is staging Veil exhibition exploring
the history and current use of the shroud-like Burkha worn by Muslim
women.
The
digitally manipulated images show a veiled Statue of Liberty clutching
the Koran and the Houses of Parliament converted into a mosque.
Organisers
of the exhibition have accused the council of infringing their freedom
of speech.
View pictures here
Do
you think Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council are right in banning
the artwork. Have your say.
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To
call the pictures 'Islamic artwork' is misleading. They were
made by three Russian Jews who wanted to portray Muslims as
dangers to western society and western culture. I am glad
the pictures have been removed. They are offensive to Muslims
as well non-Muslims. There is enough animosity and ignorance
between people as it is, without adding to it for the sake
of 'art'.
Naseerah
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I
am so glad these pictures have been banned. British people
are becoming the victims in our own country, we are being
downtrodden and victimsed and as soon as we speak up about
it and try to fight for our own rights we are racist.
Julie
- Dudley
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The
art work is offensive in the same way that it would be if we
had defaced a mosque to make it look different. We need to keep
all these things in balance and respect the rights of ALL races
and religions - including the English and Christians!
Jeff, Stourbridge |
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Art
is supposed to challenge your perceptions of the world. By looking
at the world in a different way it makes us reconsider our attitudes
and beliefs.
Steve, Walsall |
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The concept of censorship in art is a very dangerous idea
and the council must be very sure that they are doing it for
the right reason, if there is a reason!. Freedom of expression
is just as much a part of democracy as freedom of speech.
The only places i have witnessed art censorship is behind
the restrictive doors of communist regimes so becareful Walsall
council or you may be judged to have extreme left wing views.
E. Cox - Burton on Trent, Staffs
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I agree that these pictures should be banned. I find them
offensive as I'm sure many other people do. I don't think
that exhibitions like this have any educational value they
just cause more anger and hatred in an already uneasy time.
Katie
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The purpose of all art is to inspire us to think and question
our perception of the world we live in. Many pieces of art
are "controversial" simply because they do not pander to the
sensibilities of the majority of those able or willing to
express an opinion.
But that is the whole point - it gets people thinking and
talking. The coverage on the regional BBC news of these pieces
has probably given them more exposure in 5 minutes than a
month hanging in the gallery. And now the ideas they convey
are in the public domain and being digested. I may not agree
with what you say, but I will uphold your right to say it
to the death.
Nigel
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The banned islamic artwork is not art and the decision to
ban it was right, despite the right to freedom to say or do
what you want. Who ever the artist is, should be asked why
they did it and what are they trying to achieve? In my opinion,
the artist is just trying to express his or her personal feelings
or opinions of how he or she would like to see Islam dominate
all corners of the globe. The artist is being irresponsible
and stupid.
Such
work just causes more tension and hatred between muslims and
non-muslims. There is nothing to benefit from such work. If
the artist wanted to show monuments with Islamic features,
why not take pictures of mosques and other Islamic monuments
in Saudia Arabia and other Islamic countries, which have such
stunning architecture and beauty. That would be much more
pleasing to see and informative to both muslims and non-muslims.
The right to freedom of speech or representation is vital,
however it should applied with care and consider ation as
what is trying to be conveyed may be interpreted differently
by others and may cause harm and insult.
I am a muslim living in the UK, and feel that non-muslims,
and some muslims, have perceived Islam to be a harsh and brutal
religion that does not care for other religions. Islam is
actually quite the opposite, you only have to read the Islamic
holy book (Quran) to realise this.
If only muslims would read and understand the Quran and not
follow their personal agendas under the name of Islam, we
would not have the problems that we are experiencing in the
world at the moment. If muslims view my opinion to be racist
in someway, I apologise. I am a muslim myself and proud to
be one, but I tend to use my common sense in these issues
as should others.
Saf
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I have seen the picture of the veiled Statue of Liberty on
the internet in September last year and I am wondering if
their is an element of plagiarism here?
As far as the censorship of art, society shouldn't try to
censor positive poitical or cultural satire. Whilst these
images may be seen by some as racism (which I totally abhore)
other people are beginning to realise that Islam to some extent
has lost its way by becoming a tool for political extremists
to persue their own goals.
Islam is a good religion and it saddens me to see it abused
in this way. We are all gods children after all. Having said
that, the "artist" has a duty to ensure that their work is
understood to be a creative and positive element, and not
just another tool to promote ognorance, racial hatred and
social disorder.
Freedom of speech should have its limits when it comes to
promoting ignorance and hatred, after all it is cultural ignorance
and hatred on both sides that is the cause of the problems
between East and West.
Karl Langley
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