Obscene and blasphemous libel: Misunderstanding art

This article examines the legal approach to art in the context of English o bscenity and blasphemy laws, and related public morality offences. It highl ights the cultural independence of art as a special value separately om oth er facts on which the law operates, and the law's neglect of art's distinct ive ontology to the detriment of both art and law. It charts the most recen t relevant cafes, and suggests reform in the light of contemporary issues a ffecting the relationship between art and law, as demonstrated, for example , by the ethically controversial Sensation exhibition at the Royal Academy (1997) and subsequent provocative artwork.