American photographer reflects on censorship in museums
Renowned American photographer Sally Mann, best known for her intimate family portraits and southern landscapes, has voiced concern about what she describes as a new stage in cultural conflicts. Her comments come after several of her works were seized from the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas, in early 2025.
Seizure and controversy around Immediate Family series
In January, local authorities removed four photographs from her series Immediate Family, a body of work that has sparked debate since the 1990s regarding the boundaries between art and childhood representation. The black-and-white images depict personal family moments, some of which have been labeled as inappropriate by certain groups. Although Mann’s work has been exhibited in leading institutions worldwide for over three decades, this was the first time her pieces were taken down from a public venue in the United States.
The removal followed a complaint from a conservative advocacy group. A formal inquiry was launched, but a grand jury decided not to file charges against the artist or the museum. The photographs were eventually returned, though they were not reinstalled for the remainder of the exhibition.
Artist’s reflections on the future of artistic freedom
Mann emphasized that the incident could have a chilling effect on other museums and artists. She argued that social media and political debates have created new conditions where artworks can be more easily challenged. “We are entering a new era where art can be attacked with more tools at hand,” she warned.
Beyond the controversy, Mann continues to focus her lens on the complexities of southern history and landscapes, seeking beauty within imperfection. However, she acknowledged that recent events have made her reconsider whether certain personal images should ever be shared publicly.
