"All censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions. All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently the first condition of progress is the removal of censorship." - George Bernard Shaw

Miami based artist Joe Nicastri addresses the very nature of repression through censorship in his artwork. Careful, naturalistic paintings of nudes are juxtaposed with sharp, rusted nails and preserved flowers. The book, and the information therein is presented to the viewer in a manner which may comment, critique or embellish but at all times denies the reader the ability to turn a page, get comfortable or in some cases to simply close the covers.

Each year the American Library Association calls attention to Books Challenged or Banned. The work of Joe Nicastri moves us beyond the individual title and the individual act of censorship and forces us to look at Censorship as Evil. The year's theme of Let Freedom Read: Read A Banned Book is in celebration of the right to open a book, any book.

"Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself. It is the hallmark of an authoritarian regime..." - Justice Potter Stewart