“NSW police have seized 20 of 41 photographs from the exhibition with the intention of launching criminal proceedings under the Child Protection Act.
“Police say charges will be laid under both the NSW and Commonwealth Crimes acts for publishing an indecent article.
“The alleged Commonwealth offence relates to publishing some of the photographs on the internet.
“The decision to launch a prosecution was made public by Rose Bay police commander, Superintendent Allan Sicard outside the gallery while detectives carried out a search.
“Superintendent Sicard said police had taken possession of the Henson photographs that were due to go on public exhibition on Thursday night.
“Police at 3.30pm yesterday received a report from a concerned member of the public that an exhibition was occurring at this gallery,” said Superintendent Sicard…”
Henson show charges, Sydney Morning Herald.
In bizarre parallel news:
“Melbourne City Council has defended its decision to reject a controversial painting by the nephew of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
The painting depicts a Ronald McDonald holding a flaming Olympic torch, while a monk burns in the background.
Van Thanh Rudd’s work, which he this afternoon revealed was intended as a homage to British street artist Banksy, shows Ronald McDonald carrying the Olympic torch past a burning monk.
He said the Ronald McDonald image was “commenting on the fact that I believe the global economy is a direct hurdle to a lot of the good peace processes to deal with human rights abuse”.
Some observers have remarked on the painting’s striking resemblance to Banksy…”
Rudd Nephew’s Artwork rejected, The Sydney Morning Herald.
Earlier:
After much consideration we have decided to withdraw a number of works from the current Bill Henson exhibition that have attracted controversy. The current show, without the said works, will be re-opened for viewing in coming days.
Bill Henson is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists and is internationally respected. His works are held in every leading art institution in Australia and are included in the collections of a number of the world’s most prestigious art museums. The Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria have both recently held a retrospective of 30 years of the artist’s work.
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery will remain closed while the current exhibition is re-hung.
