The Banana on the Wall: An Examination of Art and Controversy
Taught by J.R. Pepper
JR Pepper is a lecturer, photographer and self described 'professional eccentric'. She holds both a BA and an MA in art history specializing in Surrealism and spirit photography. Her artwork has been seen in various gallery shows and publications including Haunted America: FAQ by Dave Thompson, Vice.com and Musee Magazine. She has spoken at New York Anime Festival, New York Comic Con, Tokyo in Tulsa, The Morbid Anatomy Museum, The Odd Salon, The Dead Ladies Show and is an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College. She currently works as digital imaging specialist at The Burns Archive and is a tour guide at Green-wood Cemetery. Her book Buried Boston: America's Revolutionary Necropolis, documenting Boston's burying ground and cemeteries is due out in 2024.
image credit: Bill Wadman
Art is something that should always elicit a response, and sometimes that response is pure hatred. People question the artist's morals or integrity, and even threaten legal action. But, at what point does an artwork become controversial? We will examine several works that went above and beyond controversial and changed the art world forever.
*Some of the artworks featured contain explicit nudity, adult themes, graphic imagery as well as sharks, urinals and bananas*