Archive of Henry Lydiate‘s Artlaw column, published in Art Monthly since 1976. Have a legal question about your career? Check our Directory or send us a legal query.
Guides to Interpretation
The complicated issues of how legal frameworks impact on artistic freedom of expression are explored in a new series of guides covering counter terrorism, public order, child protection, race and religion, and obscene publications. The series, badged…
Censorship
Time, place, social values and mores are the themes of these pieces, as they explore specific incidents where artworks have been the subject of threatened or actual 'censorship' These works, and/or their authors or curators were subjected to legal…
Cell Block
Dear Prisoner 035178 You will have wondered why you failed to receive your April copy of Art Monthly (#235), which was posted to you as usual last month. It was received at the prison on April 20, but…
F**K
Last month’s Late Item (AM 145), “Three little words’, is reproduced here in full since it succinctly sets out a serious incident which we will explore, in more detail: ‘On March 22, an exhibition of work by the exiled…
Drawing the Line
Because one figure was undressed This little drawing was suppressed. It was unkind, but never mind, Perhaps it was all for the best. * Ms Jennifer Rock was shocked when I answered the phone, especially on a…
Private Views: Right Problem, Wrong Law
All too often artists and arts professionals look at a controversial image, conclude that the Law, specifically copyright law, must have something to say about it, must provide an answer. In the case of…
Sensation and All That
Do the laws of freedom of speech apply to images? How do laws recognise cultural differences between different countries? Should everything be allowed to be exhibited? If not, how do we regulate? How do politics play…