'Irreverent' Show Opens Friday the 13th at Leslie-Lohman Museum

NEW YORK CITY—Fans of erotic art may be familiar with Barbara Nitke from her various gallery showings that have taken place around the world—or possibly from her role as a plaintiff in Free Speech Coalition, et al v. Attorney General, the case against the federal government's 2257 record-keeping and labeling law. But now, Nitke has been selected to have her works exhibited at a prestigious New York City museum—and she's happy about it. "I am so honored to be included with Robert Mapplethorpe, Andres Serrano, David Wojnarowicz and many other artists I admire in this amazing show," Nitke said in an email to supporters and friends. The show, ironically titled "Irreverent: A Celebration of Censorship," will be hosted by the  Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, 26 Wooster Street in lower Manhattan, running from February 13 through April 19, 2015. Curated by Jennifer Tyburczy, the show "will not only explore, but revel in, the ways in which the censorship of queer artwork has lead to the reclamation of alleged perversions by exhibiting once again these artworks as sites of survival, creativity, and rebellion," according to Tyburczy. "The focus of this exhibition will be the work which has been excluded from other mainstream institutions due to its gay content," said Museum director Hunter O'Hanian. "Going back to the 'Culture Wars' of the 1980s, the exhibition landscape has changed as certain works of art have been excluded because they were considered 'offensive' or 'too risky.' While in some ways we live in a time which appears more tolerant, exclusion of artwork, and certain facts about some artists, are still excluded because of the person’s sexual orientation." More information about the exhibit can be found here. "My part in the show stems from Nitke v. Ashcroft, a U.S. Supreme Court case I fought against censorship on the internet along with the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and our attorney, John Wirenius," Nitke explained. "Jennifer included an insightful description of that lawsuit in her recent article about the show for The Archive. History buffs can read more about the case in John Strasbaugh's 2002 article in New York Press. An opening reception will take place on Friday, February 13, 6-8 p.m. at the museum, which is free to the public. "I hope to see you at the opening, and also hope you're all staying warm," said New York resident Nitke.