Is it true that most public art shows ban nude photos for sale?

I spoke with a professional photographer from Europe who told me he can not find any public art shows or even art galleries in the U.S. that would agree to exhibit photographs of nudes he has taken, even so called 'art photos.' It's not that he needs the money. He's had exhibits of his work at the Smithsonian (but they don't exhibit nudes, obviously). I am looking to find art shows where I can sell photos of nudes I've taken, but I don't want to waste my time applying if that's the case. I submitted a few samples to one gallery owner in Washington, DC (Not the Smithsonian ; ) and she said they'd be happy to display my other work--like cityscapes--but no nudes because 'families' attend the shows. Is that basically the response I'm going to get? If so, I don't want to waste my time. It does seem a bit silly to me since I see photos in Mademoiselle and Vogue that are no less risque than mine.Is it true that most public art shows ban nude photos for sale?
I don't know what parts of the US you are dealing with, but here in Ohio(which is part of the bible belt), the art shows here have nude photographs, paintings and various other art forms portraying nudity.





In the capital city of Columbus, toplessness does not constitute nudity, because the statue that defines it states that genitalia must be exposed...breasts are not genitalia by statute.





Each city, county, state could have their own laws describing what they deem as acceptable, therefore it makes it more difficult to pin down where you can and cannot show art of this kind.Is it true that most public art shows ban nude photos for sale?
I can't understand that double standard but it is obviously there. What with all the painted nudes around and exhibited why not good photography. You might want to inquire first at local exhibit venues about this state of affairs. Perhaps a photography guild or group can put on a photo exhibition. It was done like that for the sculptures of nude figures.


Spartawo...
Most galleries will display nude art, as long as it doesnt cross a line.





This guy probably takes pics of people having sex, crapping or something, and calls it art. Some galleries may cater to families, most do not.





If there is any artistic merit, you should be able to find a place to display. But it has to have merit.
Look pal, if god wanted us to see nude bodies, we would have been born that way.





The problem is that most nudity in the US is viewed as pornographic......I guess we're just a very moral society.