Art Censorship

Art Censorship In recent news there was a controversy over art shown in Santa Fe Community College's gallery. The artist Pat Payne created obscene religious pictures that for the most part were mocking the Catholic religion. I feel that there is no need for artwork to be censored if in an appropriate place. Placing paintings that may seem to be obscene in an art museum, gallery, or anywhere else that attract mostly mature individuals is appropriate and obviously placing those same pieces of art in an elementary school would be inappropriate. My point being that artworks of any type being placed in Santa Fe's art gallery should not be an issue. The majority of individuals looking at Santa Fe's gallery are older and mature, and if children are being brought into a place like this, adults should view it before taking the children in. People go the Santa Fe's gallery to see all types of art, by different types of people, and expressed in several different ways. In addition, viewing a variety of artwork is going to include pieces that some people consider obscenities, but no one is forcing them to look at it. The gallery is placed in a room and the only way to enter it is to walk through the door. The set up of the gallery is well done and does not make people look at it as they walk through a hallway. Also having the "censored" artwork in a completely different place is ridiculous. People do not want to walk to a completely different part of campus to see "censored" artwork that should be in the gallery to begin with. I know in my case when going to look at the gallery's art I go there to be able to relax in a quite atmosphere, look at the artwork, and think about what I am seeing. Censoring art changes everything. If in a room of just "uncensored" art you may not be able to fully interpret the thoughts of the artist. Moreover, if the "censored" artwork is moved into an office of some sort it is not quiet and the onlooker may feel uncomfortable.