MEDAL Statement about Sally Mann Art Censorship
2025-01-23
We stand against the censorship of Sally Mann’s art, which depicts non-sexual child nudity. The censorship of the Sally Mann art exhibit is a profound affront to artistic expression and the freedom of thought. Art has always been a vehicle for challenging societal norms, confronting uncomfortable truths, and expanding the boundaries of human understanding. Sally Mann’s work, known for its intimate and raw depictions of childhood, nature, and the human form, invites viewers to engage with the complexities of life and the human experience. The decision to censor this exhibit is a dangerous step toward undermining the very principles that make art a powerful tool for reflection and dialogue.
Censorship, particularly when it targets artists whose work challenges prevailing sensibilities, stifles creativity, undermines public discourse, and silences voices that need to be heard. Art should not be confined to sanitized versions of reality, but should provoke thought, question assumptions, and open conversations about culture, identity, and history. Sally Mann’s art is not about scandal or shock for its own sake; it is a deeply personal exploration of memory, family, and the passage of time—topics that are essential to the human condition.
Additionally, all of Sally Mann’s children were asked whether they wanted these photographs to be released. As a youth rights supporting organization, we recognize the importance of consent and the autonomous rights of young people. In hindsight, one daughter, Jessie, says even today, after much societal backlash over her mother’s art, she would still make the choice to display these pictures.
From the beginning, Sally’s parenting has been criticized on the basis of her art, and this apparently led to some tension and stress for the children, who had to question things more than most children might. The backlash led to more tension than the artwork itself, and it probably continues to do so.
The act of censoring this artwork betrays a failure to recognize the value of art in its capacity to question, to disturb, and to expand our emotional and intellectual horizons. We must resist the impulse to sanitize art for the sake of comfort and instead uphold the principles of free expression and artistic integrity. We stand with artists like Sally Mann, who challenge us to see the world through a different lens, to confront the discomforts of life, and to celebrate the power of unfiltered creativity.
Sincerely,
~The MEDAL Board of Directors~
