Rise from the Ashes

It might be every author’s dream to have their book challenged by a school board.  What better way to guarantee that teens will read it?

By showcasing banned books, this artwork draws attention to the timeless struggle between authoritarianism and the human quest for truth and understanding. The ashes represent attempts to silence voices, erase stories, and limit thought.

This artwork is a celebration of the courage of authors who challenge boundaries and the readers who continue to seek out banned works, despite efforts to restrict access. The thoughts and voices of these books cannot be easily extinguished—they will always rise again.

The piece is made with 6 challenged books and the ashes of 6 burned books.

2022