Demand Lewis-Clark State to Uphold Free Speech & Reverse Removal of Abortion Related Art
Channel: As I Sit Waiting
Date: 2023-03-10

Brooklyn-based artist Lydia Nobles had her work selected as part of *Unconditional Care: Listening to people's health needs* exhibited at Lewis Clark State College in Idaho. She was asked by the curator to include three short documentaries and one audio for the exhibition. Nobles’ documentary work depicts individual stories that touch on a broad range of topics that are often heavily stigmatized and rarely spoken about: cryptic pregnancy, poverty, postpartum depression, birth injury, domestic violence, suicidal ideation, and giving one’s child up for adoption.

However, on Wednesday, days before the exhibition was set to open, Nobles received notice that her work violated the NPFAA, which prohibits the use of public funds for abortion, including speech that would “promote abortion” or “counsel in favor of abortion.” Later that day, two more artists work were removed - the curator Katrina Majkut and Michelle Hartney.

 American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) have released a joint statement against this on behalf of Lydia Nobles. As the ACLU, the ACLU of Idaho, and the NCAC explain, the college’s interpretation of the NPFAA — that it applies to works of art depicting the discussion of abortion — demonstrates the potential abuses of the act. Their position also outlines that the college’s decision to censor Nobles’ important work threatens the First Amendment right to free expression.

This is an alarming decision by a state institution to censor an established artist making work about the everyday experiences of healthcare issues. Given the growing body of artistic work that is exploring these topics in light of the 2021 Dobbs decision (which overturned Roe V Wade), thousands of artists showing work outside of the state of New York could be impacted. 

We believe it is important to share this story with the art community and beyond. In Nobles’ case, free speech and artistic expression have been directly denied by a state institution, and this information needs to be known.

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-ncac-oppose-removal-of-abortion-related-art-from-exhibition-at-idaho-college-art-gallery