Miami…. what does one think of when you say Miami? Most people think Sun, Hot, Beach and Sex. Maybe not in that order, but those are synonymous to Miami. You would also think that with all the crime in Miami,like Brinks trucks getting held up almost daily, Banks being robbed every other day, NFL players getting shot in their houses, 75 year old retired cops escorting cold blooded murderers. You would think the Police Depts. would have better and more important things to do than harass local artists about erotic murals. But you would be wrong. Let us see if the sudden interest the police have in art puts a chill in the air a week before the Art Basel art show. And it will be fun to see if Feld is supported by his fellow artists. Feld himself should not be too upset, if he really wanted to make a statement he would let them arrest him. The Police did him a favor and if he put that art out as to provoke the Police it worked….mpress

A South Florida photographer known for his creative and sometimes edgy work faced off with police over some racy photographs in his gallery window on Friday.

Howard Austin Feld described his work as “erotic,” “sensual,” and “walks a line, but doesn’t cross it.” His pieces are photographic images with ink painted on canvas.”Well, I’ve had an art gallery on Lincoln Road for 10 years and I’ve never had one complaint,” Feld said.

Police took their own photos of his windows as “evidence” that they said they will show the state attorney on Monday.Fearing arrest, Feld agreed to take down the two most erotic images for now.

His work is sold all over the world and featured in many events.”Freedom of speech and freedom of expression is very important to me,” Feld said. “Jail is a little scary, because then you’ve got to take that stand to say, ‘OK, I’m going to fight for what I believe in.’”The world’s art patrons will be gathering in Miami next week for the art show Art Basel.

Via: NBC6

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