Censored Art Finds its Home in Barcelona

The Museu de l’Art Prohibit showcases over two hundred works facing censorship, bans, and other forms of suppression.

In a bold move that confronts the ever-present specter of censorship and cancel culture, Barcelona welcomes an unprecedented new art museum. The Museu de l’Art Prohibit (Museum of Prohibited Art) opened its doors to the public on October 26, 2023. It showcases over two hundred works facing censorship, bans, and other forms of suppression. This museum is not just a celebration of art but a defiance of those who seek to silence it.

A journey from censorship to celebration

The Museu de l’Art Prohibit is the brainchild of the collector, journalist, and entrepreneur, Tatxo Benet. Its story began during the ARCO 2018 edition when Benet acquired an artwork by the artist Santiago Sierra titled “Presos Políticos en la España Contemporánea” (Political Prisoners in Contemporary Spain). However, as soon as the piece was acquired, it was promptly removed from the gallery that sold it, due to its controversial theme. This incident laid the foundation for what would become a unique and powerful collection.

Over the course of five years, Benet tirelessly accumulated nearly 200 artworks that had…