Nelson artwork ban labelled 'timid'

File photo / Herald on Sunday

A Christchurch arts writer has labelled the decision to ban a work of art from a Nelson competition due to graphic content as "timid and unfortunate".

Nichola Romney's painting of a naked Adam looking at the sins people commit featured images including a priest with a naked man and a woman being raped.

It was turned away from the Arts Council Nelson Impressions Art Awards because of its graphic content, despite the award judges saying it showed commendable skill, The Nelson Mail reported.

Awards judge Lloyd Harwood said it was inappropriate for an awards exhibition which was aimed at "family and community" audiences.

But arts writer Dr Warren Feeney, a former director of Christchurch's Centre of Contemporary Art, said the decision not to accept the work for the competition was "not a great day for anyone interested in the arts in New Zealand".

"Its exclusion is a timid and unfortunate decision from a panel that I thought would have been better informed," Dr Feeney said.

"It also highlights the challenges of running an art award or exhibition that has a focus on community engagement while also seeking to support excellence in the arts."

Ms Romney said the rejection of her painting was a stifling of artistic freedom.

- NZPA