Too Far?

A new collection of photographs currently on display at Ottawa's Dale Smith Gallery, by Canadian artist Jonathan Hobin have sparked controversy over the past few weeks - while the message of the photos is a serious one (the what kids are seeing in the media does resonate with them no matter how we may try to protect them), the images themselves are rather startling to see. From 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina, the " In The Playroom" collection certainly doesn't shy away from honesty - But is it too far? 

'39 Lashes' - A play on the death of TV legend (and cosmetologically obsessed) Tammy Faye Baker - complete with a Louis Vuitton Bible (Perhaps a hit at Bakers lavish, and rumored, ungodly lifestyle)

'A Boo Grave' - Recreation of the infamous Abu Ghraib torture photos

'American Idol' - A dark glimpse into the death of child pageant princess Jonbenet Ramsey

'Boxing Day' - The Boxing Day Tsunami that occurred in the Indian Ocean, effecting Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka (among other areas)

'Dear Leader' - A child posing as North Korean leader Kim Jong Il

'Diana's Dead' - A sort of recreation of Princess Diana's infamous accidental death

'Seal Heart' - Northern Residents are depicted eating raw seal heart

'Spring Break' - Depicting the unsolved mystery of American Teenager, Natalee Holloway's, disappearance from Aruba in 2005

'The Twins' - 9/11 Plane Crashes

'The Saints' - Storm Clouds are depicted behind a backyard pool, while the subjects wear water wings that bare the logo of FEMA - the federal agency that failed the residents of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina

'Vegas Wedding' - Inspired by Siegfried and Roy

'White Nights'- An allegory of the Jonestown Massacre

While society and powerful images of past events do shape both young children and ourselves,

Does this much honesty really belong in the Playroom? Farewell Mother Goose.