Row erupts over artist cleared of child porn

October 05, 2008 12:27:28 PM

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A new row has erupted in Australia over an artist recently cleared of producing child pornography after it was reported he searched aprimary school playground for subjects.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Saturday if the report about acclaimed photographer Bill Henson were true he was "disgusted", while other politicians and a teachers' group expressed concern.

An exhibition by the internationally-known artist was shut down by police ahead of its opening in May after accusations that some of his photographs, particularly one of a naked adolescent girl, were pornographic.

But prosecutors later said there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction and returned 20 works which had been seized.

The scandal erupted again after journalist David Marr reported in a new book that Henson had been allowed to wander around a primary school playground at lunchtime, accompanied by the principal, in search of subjects.

"If the report is accurate, I am disgusted by it," Rudd told reporters in Sydney. "I think parents would be revolted and horrified if this were true."

Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull said: "The matters that have been described in the media are totally inappropriate and unacceptable and I share the outrage that has been expressed by many people at these events."

Marr told Sky News later the impression that Henson "roamed the playground unsupervised" was wrong and that "the only contact with the photographer was if the parents of the children wished to talk to him".

The president of the Australian Primary Principals Association said it made no difference that the school principal had accompanied Henson.

"It doesn't matter which way you look at it, I think it's still inappropriate," said Leonie Trimper.

"Primary schools are not there to be a ready commercial market for individuals."

The dramatic closure of Henson's exhibition shortly before it was to open in May triggered fierce debate, with Rudd declaring the works "absolutely revolting".

But artists such as Hollywood star Cate Blanchett backed Henson, saying stifling art would damage Australia's international reputation.

The police decision not to press charges came as the Australian censor found that the image of the naked girl was mild and "not sexualised to any degree".