I recently completed my “Banned Books” mural outside of Dunaway Books in St. Louis Missouri to bring attention to the increasing number of books that have been added to various banned and challenged lists. Titles included in my mural:

• “1984” by George Orwell

• “Breakfast of Champions” by Kurt Vonnegut

• “Maus” by Art Spiegelman

• “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain

• “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison

• “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

Occurrences of books being removed from libraries, and other bookshelves around the country is concerning. Books provide the opportunity to gather information, make your own conclusions, expose one to new thoughts and ideas, and gain access to information about other cultures and persons. This cannot be done when access to books are being restricted. Book bans and challenges are a constant struggle for the institutions working to ensure access to literary content of all types and subject matter remains available for all individuals.

Inspired by my mixed media original painting “Banned Books,” I want to bring broader awareness to this important topic of censorship. 

This piece of public art (19 feet tall by 18 feet wide, on cinderblock and plywood) is receiving tremendous media coverage. I decided to create a limited edition print of the mural to enable others to have access to this work, while making proceeds available to national and local organizations championing this cause. I hope you enjoy having a limited edition print, and the many conversations about books, censorship, and creativity that it may evoke. 

All the best and happy reading.
-Dave