Art Censorship Forum was a Great Success!

NAVA and Watch on Censorship’s public forum ‘Art Censorship: the Bigger Picture’ had a fantastic public turnout on Thursday 12th June 2008, in the Foundation Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. Margaret Pomeranz was the MC for the event and David Marr successfully chaired, what was at times, a heated debate. The impressive speaker list comprised artist and educator Ian Howard, state gallery curator Tony Bond, child abuse campaigner Hetty Johnston, barrister and human rights advocate Julian Burnside QC, and public ethics commentator Clive Hamilton.

NAVA is concerned that the Australian art world should not be complacent about Bill Henson’s reprieve. The chief complainant Hetty Johnston, now is calling for legislative reform in response to the decision of the police not to lay charges against the artist or the Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery. This decision was made on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, that such charges would have little prospect of securing a conviction.

From this dust-up, there are many questions which need answers. While it is encouraging that the Classification Board has rated Henson’s most contentious work as PG, one can ask why they have jurisdiction here. That such things are happening is very concerning. NAVA believes that we need to get a better understanding of the scope of the law, the extent of police powers and the appropriate actions which can be taken by all parties when complaints are made. In this regard, NAVA will make an announcement at the forum about further action.