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CibbuanoBill Henson - Art or Sinister Exploitation
May 23rd 2008 02:33
Art show closed down with Accusations of Pedophilia
Bill Henson is one of Australia’s most respected photographic artists, his work has received prestigious recognition over the years. Last night in Sydney his latest exhibition opened to controversy and has been promptly closed down pending an investigation into accusations of child pornography.
Like filmmaker Larry Clark, Henson has always been fascinated with the coming of age, the limbo between adolescence and adulthood. Much of his work revolves around images of teens that attempt to study the nature of breaking into adulthood.
The problem with this particular collection seems to the inclusion of nude images of girls 12 – 13. According to a report on monstersandcritics.com it is Hetty Johnston, executive director of child sexual assault action group Bravehearts that has insisted on closing down the exhibit.
“'It's child exploitation, it's criminal activity and it should be prosecuted,' Johnston told Australia's AAP news agency. 'They are clearly illegal child pornography images. It's not about art at all. It's a crime and I hope they are prosecuted.'
Australian Democrats leader Lyn Allison who instigated a Senate inquiry into the sexualisation of children in the media said “I think it is shocking and confronting, but I am torn on this. I have to say because I was an art teacher and I am very reluctant to want to censor what artists do and a lot of artists do want to be confronting, to raise issues, and in some ways, this does that.”
'Police have spoken to the photographer and gallery owners,' Superintendent Allan Sicard told reporters outside the gallery. 'As a result of this conversation, all parties have agreed the exhibition will be temporarily closed to allow further inquiries to be made.'
On the subject the artist himself says: 'Kids of this age, they seem to, as all those clichés go, be half in childhood and half in the adult world,' Henson told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'They're at a point where there is an exponential change, both psychologically and physically taking place, and this all kind of creates a floating world of expectation and uncertainty.'
Henson’s collections are often shocking and carry a moody atmosphere that elevates them to be defined as “art”. Whether or not he is innocent of exploiting his subjects is unclear, but he does always receive parental consent. The real problem lies more with the predators who will get sexual arousal from such frank images, but then these pedophiles also get the same thing from glossy magazine advertising anyway. Often publications and television sexualise under age children to hawk clothing, soft drinks and a myriad of other products.
Personally I am not offended by what I’ve seen of his work, challenged yes, but can certainly appreciate the concerns raised. There does seem to be an element of hypocrisy in the debate, aside from the aforementioned media’s sanctioned promotion of child pornography in commercials, the streets are filled with pre teen girls who flaunt there flesh with minimal clothing while accompanied by parents in shopping malls and other public places.
So in a way isn’t this just art reflecting society?
Exhibit A
Bill Henson is one of Australia’s most respected photographic artists, his work has received prestigious recognition over the years. Last night in Sydney his latest exhibition opened to controversy and has been promptly closed down pending an investigation into accusations of child pornography.
Like filmmaker Larry Clark, Henson has always been fascinated with the coming of age, the limbo between adolescence and adulthood. Much of his work revolves around images of teens that attempt to study the nature of breaking into adulthood.
Artist Bill Henson with his work
The problem with this particular collection seems to the inclusion of nude images of girls 12 – 13. According to a report on monstersandcritics.com it is Hetty Johnston, executive director of child sexual assault action group Bravehearts that has insisted on closing down the exhibit.
“'It's child exploitation, it's criminal activity and it should be prosecuted,' Johnston told Australia's AAP news agency. 'They are clearly illegal child pornography images. It's not about art at all. It's a crime and I hope they are prosecuted.'
Young love or something more sinister?
Australian Democrats leader Lyn Allison who instigated a Senate inquiry into the sexualisation of children in the media said “I think it is shocking and confronting, but I am torn on this. I have to say because I was an art teacher and I am very reluctant to want to censor what artists do and a lot of artists do want to be confronting, to raise issues, and in some ways, this does that.”
'Police have spoken to the photographer and gallery owners,' Superintendent Allan Sicard told reporters outside the gallery. 'As a result of this conversation, all parties have agreed the exhibition will be temporarily closed to allow further inquiries to be made.'
On the subject the artist himself says: 'Kids of this age, they seem to, as all those clichés go, be half in childhood and half in the adult world,' Henson told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'They're at a point where there is an exponential change, both psychologically and physically taking place, and this all kind of creates a floating world of expectation and uncertainty.'
Henson’s collections are often shocking and carry a moody atmosphere that elevates them to be defined as “art”. Whether or not he is innocent of exploiting his subjects is unclear, but he does always receive parental consent. The real problem lies more with the predators who will get sexual arousal from such frank images, but then these pedophiles also get the same thing from glossy magazine advertising anyway. Often publications and television sexualise under age children to hawk clothing, soft drinks and a myriad of other products.
Personally I am not offended by what I’ve seen of his work, challenged yes, but can certainly appreciate the concerns raised. There does seem to be an element of hypocrisy in the debate, aside from the aforementioned media’s sanctioned promotion of child pornography in commercials, the streets are filled with pre teen girls who flaunt there flesh with minimal clothing while accompanied by parents in shopping malls and other public places.
So in a way isn’t this just art reflecting society?
Another of Henson's more honest images of teen sexuality
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Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Nice article!!!
Comment by Stu Bond
I have the good taste not to point out in public the glaring errors in religious text, the pious should have the good taste not to inform the world of their perverted view of art.
Comment by ozartist
For some reason, though, we haven't yet banned Shakespeare, and for exactly the same reasons, we should value Henson's artistic work, not persecute him for it.
Comment by Anonymous
In the UK it is child pornography, it could turn out to be the most downloaded item of child abuse in British history, our legislation was enacted with one eye on Bill Henson. If he did it in London, he'd be oo the sex offenders register.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous