Musician Ralph Covert and his band play Friday, Oct. 5 in downtown Aurora at the Free the Nipple art event at 67 S. Stolp Avenue. The uncensored gallery host was art enthusiast Dan Hites to protest the city of Aurora government censoring the artwork displayed on the wall called, “Peace Sheep Man” by Juan Sepulveda.
The art recently was banned by government officials from a show at the Aurora Public Arts Commission due to the exposed nipples. Hites invited artists to display their artwork, expecially any art with exposed nipples at his event.
The censorship is likely due to controversy earlier this year from artwork at an Aurora Public Library art exibit that was described as a poem that some believe condones violence against Muslim women. The art by George Miller, which featured a poem entitled “Hijab means Jihad” printed over an image of the Confederate flag was posted in the display and was labeled in the exhibit as satire. The Council on American Islamic Relations spoke against the piece. Miller, who chairs the Lewis University Philosophy Department, said his piece wasn’t meant to be incendiary.
Mayor of Aurora Richard Irvin said the title alone promoted assault against women underscored by verses which blatantly disrespected an entire faith community. He said it shouldn’t be tolerated anywhere, and it certainly isn’t tolerated in Aurora.
Jason Crane/The Voice