Are more artists self-censoring for fear of being called out? Where is this leading this sector? Image credit shutterstock.
In free democracies like Australia we assume artists can express what they want in their work without fear of persecution.
ArtsHub spoke to one established artist who described how ‘it feels like you have to be more careful now,’ when dealing with morally challenging subjects, and that they ‘would think twice about doing that kind of [extreme] work now.’
Yet public outrage persisted to the point that less than a month after the furore, Documenta’s Director Sabine Schormann resigned over the issue.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
