Australian Politicians Call for New Laws Protecting Children Depicted in Art

By ARTINFO

Published: July 25, 2008

Courtesy the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery

Bill Henson's photos of nude children, such as "Untitled" (2007/08), have prompted the government of New South Wales to review the laws governing how children are depicted in art.

Bill Henson Australia Council Releases Children-in-Art Protocols Document The Weeks That Were (September 19 – October 3, 2008) Henson Speaks Out About Nude Child Photographs Controversy Art Hearts the Far Right Australian Prime Minister Re-ignites Debate Over Nude Child Photography Henson Saga to End without Charges Nude Child Photographs Evade Censorship

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CANBERRA, Australia—The government of New South Wales is pushing for a national review of laws governing how children are depicted in art following the recent controversy over artist Bill Henson's photographs of a naked 13-year-old girl, reports the Australian.

NSW Community Services Minister Kevin Greene raised the issue at a meeting of state and federal officials in Canberra, arguing that the debate over Henson's work had brought to light deep concern in the community over the representation of children in art.

"It's not my position to be determining what's art, what's good art, and what's bad art," said Greene. "My concern is to make sure we're very careful in setting the parameters in terms of the protection of the interests of children."

More than 20 of Henson's photographs were seized from a Sydney gallery in May. Police later returned them, and no charges were made against the artist or the gallery.