Naomi Wallens

What reason was given for your ban?

I think they said I didn’t meet the guidelines and contained adult content.

Why do you think your post(s) was censored?

I think because they contained nudity, and possibly swearing too.

Were you able to appeal and what was the response?

No, I didn’t – I tried to pixelate the areas of my artwork that I thought caused a problem – but it didn’t make a difference

What effect has your experience of censorship had on you?

My artwork is all about being seen and heard for who you are, my work tackles delicate issues such as Black Lives Matter, judging of beauty standards and stands as a symbol of hope and power. It’s aimed to spark conversation to hopefully make the world we live in a better place, so it is saddening that I choose to express these themes through art and it remains difficult to have a voice, be seen and heard still in society’s restrictions and judgements.

I sometimes use myself in my work to tell a story from my own experience of liberation and daring to kick back against the rules of what a ‘good girl’ looks like in society and I have had complaints in some of my exhibitions that the artist is objectifying women.

I am a female artist and it is impossible to objectify yourself!

It makes me more determined to make more art as there is lots of work to be done still in changing old traditions and mindsets.

What’s one thing you want people to know about this topic?

Art is subjective and just because some people may take offence doesn’t mean it is ok to restrict the art’s audience.