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Leeds City Art Gallery swear word controversy
NEW EXHIBITION: Artist Gary Hume with his works at Leeds City Art Gallery.
Leeds City Art Gallery is at the centre of a row over the title of a work in one of its latest exhibitions which has offended some visitors.
The gallery has put on a display of paintings by artist Gary Hume.
The works are from the Arts Council Collection and the title of one of them is a four-letter swear word that is taboo for most people.
A family with young children were shocked when they visited the exhibition and read the name of the painting.
It prompted one of them to complain to their local councillor – Coun Andrew Carter (Con, Calverley and Farsley) – who is to take up the issue with the council’s chief executive, Tom Riordan.
He said: “The family paid a visit to the gallery and came across this work and one of the children asked what the offensive word meant. It is absolutely inappropriate to put visitors in this embarrassing situation.
“Doubtless there will be people who say it’s art and that I am some sort of philistine, but I find it distasteful. It seems particularly inappropriate that this word is on public display during the week of the half-term holidays when many young people may be taken to visit the gallery.”
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He called for signs to be put up outside the exhibition warning that some people may find the title of some of the works offensive.
He said: “If they insist on displaying this sort of material there should be some sort of warning to ensure young people or anyone else don’t have this inflicted on them.”
Hume was shortlisted for the Tuner Prize in 1996 and a council spokeswoman said: “He is one of the UK’s leading artists, and we are very proud to be premiering his touring exhibition of contemporary art in Leeds Art Gallery.
”Because we were aware that the titles of two of his pieces could cause offence, we put a sign up at the entrance of the gallery to warn people of the content. We will now put an additional sign up so that this warning is more prominent.
“By its very nature, art has always been contentious and often controversial, and we apologise if anyone is offended.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
francisherb
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 03:58 PMAs it says at the bottom of this article, there IS a sign that describes the nature of the labels. I really don't think this is offensive enough to warrant complaining to your local councillor, and this act is surely just testament to your inability to explain a rude word to your child. We all come across these expletives in everyday life. Your child will eventually hear them at school, so surely the art gallery is a much safer environment for your child to learn about swearing? Especially surrounded by the delightful multicoloured paintings of Hume...
decolyn
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 09:20 PMregarding the comment from octopusuk.. i don't understand what "who don't you do EXACLY means," did you mean to say. "why don't you do exactly as i suggest,?? in fact i may just put my JUNK on e bay and make some money,, i guess then that would be successful, i have obviously ruffled your feathers, as for Councillor Carter, being a philistine, i don't have an opinion on this person, night night sleep tight, possibly in the unmade bed,,!!
RichC
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:19 PMWhat a load of ****. I can't believe some people, they will ****ing complain about ****ing anything these days?! Why don't they **** off and ****ing find something more ****ing serious to moan about the miserable ****s. What is this word that is so offensive anyway? is it ****? or ****? or even ****? I bet it's not **** though. Now that one would be naughty :-)
1234567
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 09:59 AMThis story depends to an extent on what the swear word is, if it's just something like s**t or w*n* it seems a slight over reaction, however if it is something like **ck or c*** or **** or even **sp then perhaps the name plate could be placed slightly higher out of the reach of children and covered with a little flap saying 'over 18s only'. I hate the idea of our esteemed councillors having their art gallery experience spoilt by swear words. I hope they didn't read the text on Grayson Perry's pottery displayed in the gallery, that had numerous expletives including ****, ****** and ******.
octopusuk
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 09:17 AMInstead of just typing here, who don't you do EXACLY as you are suggesting decolyn and we'll see how successful you are. And yes, Councillor Carter is a philistine.
decolyn
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 08:52 AMArt!! some people cal a load of all rubbish art, Tracy Emmin's, UNMADE BED . Humes swear words. i have a load of old junk in my backyard, maybe i should call that JUNK and enter that as an item of art!! i could make a fortune. i call this kind of stuff, PHART! otherwise known as phoney art.. beats me why anyone thinks its art at all.
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