Police ask gallery to remove painting of naked woman from window
A gallery has been ordered by police to take down a woman’s naked portrait from its window.
Val Harris, the owner of The Chair gallery in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, was visited by officers after neighbours complained about the painting, titled, This is not P---ography by artist Poppy Baynham.
It shows an abstract image of a headless naked woman’s body with her legs open. The figure is wearing red cowboy boots and has a black triangle and wool in place of her genitals.
Neighbours reportedly complained about the painting and claimed it was pornography.
Three days after it went on display police attended the gallery and told Ms Harris they had received complaints. They advised her to remove the painting from the gallery window and said the display could be a public order offence, she said.
Ms Harris has now placed a sign in front of the painting saying she is willing to “open up a dialogue on the issue” and welcomed those complaining to sign a book. She said the response had been 50:50.
The artist said she is delighted her artwork has created a debate and said the picture is still for sale.
She said: “That’s all an artist ever dreams of... their name getting out there and being heard and their work being seen.
“I just came to Hay thinking it would be a peaceful week but, no, we’ve stirred Hay up for sure!
“It just shows how closed-minded people are, and let’s say if I was a famous artist I don’t think anyone would say anything.”
Other locals in Hay said the complaints were unnecessary.
‘Exciting and playful’
Jessie Dixon told the BBC: “I thought of it as exciting and playful and I never thought of it as a sexual object or anything like that.”
Dawn Lewis, said: “It’s not my cup of tea but I can’t see it being offensive personally, it’s art.”
Dyfed Powys Police confirmed the visit and said it was “too early” to comment about possible further action.
Hay town council said it had not received any complaints about the painting and that no action was being planned or discussed.
