Art Criticizing Anti-Immigrant Law Deemed Too Controversial

Last month, for an exhibit of Troy University faculty members, Art & Design Professor Edward Noriega created some pieces that criticized Alabama's anti-immigrant law, HB 56, (which some people have said is tougher than Arizona's infamous SB 1070).

But directors of the Heritage Hall Museum, in Talladega, objected to some of the content in his artwork and had some of his best pieces removed from the exhibit.

Some of the pieces deemed too controversail were a portrait of the Virgin Mary holding a broom and dust-pan called, "Nuestra Señora de la Limpieza," ("The Cleaning Lady"); an ashtray adorned with the words, "State of Alabama," and "Feed me -- Get Out"; something that looks similar to a stack of Ajax cans, but instead reads, "ALA with HB56 ethnic cleanser"; and a swastika that sharply points out the indifference, or non-action, by religious denominations in resisting HB 56 become law.

"I wanted to be able to compare what Alabama is doing with that the Nazis did. I do believe that this law is a form of ethnic cleansing," Noriega told a local news station.

You can view all of Noriega's political artwork on his website: http://politicalabamadesign.com/