Band Books explores the intersection of censorship, music, and artistic resistance. At first glance, it presents a stack of books, their spines bearing the names of legendary rock bands—Nirvana, KISS, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles. But a closer look reveals a deeper narrative. A crow, often a symbol of intelligence and rebellion, is tearing away a dust jacket to reveal George Orwell’s 1984, one of the most frequently banned books in history. Another crow watches, as if complicit in the unveiling.

Censorship has long targeted the arts—books, music, paintings—all seen as threats to those who fear free expression. Rock music, like literature, has often been labeled dangerous, subversive, or immoral. The painting challenges viewers to consider why authoritarians—thin-skinned and intolerant—seek to silence creative voices. And yet, art endures. Ideas persist. Even when suppressed, they find ways to be seen, heard, and remembered.

A partially visible book cover features the eyes of Rembrandt, a reminder that artists throughout history have faced scrutiny, yet their work remains. Band Books is a tribute to that defiance, to the enduring power of art, and to the voices that refuse to be silenced.