Oz photogs call K-Mart catalogues more offensive than Henson's nude child art
7 Jul 2008, 1650 Hrs

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Melbourne, July 7 (ANI): A group of Aussie photographers considers K-MART catalogues to be more dangerous and offensive than the images by artist Bill Henson, which feature naked and near-naked children.

The Many Australian Photographers (MAP) Group said that politicians should seek advice before commenting on any artist's work.

Andrew Chapman, the president of the association, said that it was inappropriate for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to comment.

He even said that K-Mart catalogues were far more offensive than Henson's work.

"There is much more danger to society in more innocuous things like K-Mart catalogues and the sexualisation of children and video clips," News.com.au quoted him as saying.

"These sorts of things are far more dangerous than anything that Bill Henson has done and his work should be seen in context," he added.

Henson's works were recently removed from a Sydney art gallery after police raided it, though they were returned without any charges being laid.

Rudd expressed his dislike for the images, saying that he hated the picture of a naked six-year-old girl on the cover of Art Monthly magazine.

He said that the Australian Council should come up with necessary guidelines regarding the depiction of children in art.

An image of six-year-old Olympia Nelson, taken by her mother Polixeni Papapetrou in 2003, was published in protest against the recent furore over Henson's images.

"When Rudd talks about climate change or any other issue he consults his minders about what he should say and to make sure he gets his facts right," Chapman said.

"But when it comes to Bill Henson or Polixeni Papapetrou, he shoots his mouth off without getting any advice it's not appropriate," he added. (ANI)