
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, November 14, 1993                   TAG: 9311130071
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THE HUMAN BODY IS NOT PORNOGRAPHY

I am responding to the letter writers who are so offended by this newspaper printing a photograph of Pat West's sculpture. I offer these words on behalf of her work.

Every day our eyes are assaulted by images in the newspaper of people suffering from grief, wounds of war, ravages of disease and abuse. These images are truly appalling, disgusting and distasteful. This sculpture is not pornography. Since when is the human body pornography? Artists have been glorifying the female form since prehistoric times. Pat's sculpture is an Appalachian "Venus," reminiscent of the work of Botticelli, Modigliani or Wilhelm Lehmbruk.

Pat West is a true artist. There are many discerning people in the New River Valley who are proud that she lives and works in our community.\ Kathy Pinkerton\ Blacksburg

by CNB