An artwork exhibited at the Tubman Museum in Macon, Georgia has stirred up some tensions with a contingent of local pastors.
The contested artwork is by Georgia artist Alfred Conteh. The piece, "Preacher Pimp," is a mixed media collage, one of eighteen in his “Pimp” series, that was donated to the Tubman several years ago. The piece includes text adapted from Alfred “Bilbo” Gholson’s “The Pimp Bible: The Sweet Science of Sin”.
The pastors say that it is a “slap to the black church," while Conteh says that its critique is not intended to represent all black churches. The Tubman officials released a statement holding firm to artistic freedom: “To exhibit a work of art is not to endorse the work or the vision, ideas and opinions of the artist. It is to uphold the right of all to experience diverse visions and points of view.”
On August 13, the National Coalition Against Censorship's Arts Advocacy Project wrote a letter in support to the Tubman Museum, applauding their stance in support of artists' rights.
See the letter below, or click here for a full screen view. [scribd id=274515954 key=key-Z8OICEl5Vydg9RbX68Nf mode=scroll]