police raided his “gothic mansion” in cornwall, uk, and found 137 indecent images (and “psuedo images”) of children, allegedly in a folder called “destroy it” in his computer’s cache - the intended inference here being the images were child pornography but that is unlikely the case - “indecent” merely means nude (or not even that), according to the “experts”- the artist pleads not guilty and “claims” they were work-in-progress for an artwork - ovenden is a reputed artist active since the seventies whose work is in major collections worldwide
read more here
and here a wonderful piece re his previous run-in with the kp goon squad
Final proof, if any were needed, that the Brit authorities are a bunch of cultural illiterates. The Tate gallery, one place that you might think would support him, have already taken down his work from their site for some bollocks “copyright” reason. Bastards!
http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ArtistWorks?cgroupid=999999961&artistid=1730&page=1
The Sun’s approach to this story is even better/worse; I thought I had a problem with my computer the way the headline leaped out at me!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2694001/Graham-Ovenden-Kiddie-porn-on-PC-is-art.html
Glad to know he’s still making art though, I only wish there were more recent monograph books published of his work.
apparently the tate images were taken down recently - so maybe not unconnected…
and, err, i put “gothic mansion” in my doubtful inverted commas - but in fact his self-built home is actually rather impressive - link
In that case, I may owe the Tate an apology. But after the recent Tate Modern - Pop Life fiasco, it was the natural assumption. I had heard of Mr. Ovenden’s penchant for lavish DIY, but never had the pleasure of a close view of it. Regarding the above painting, it’s one I’ve never seen before. Whenever I rarely come across another work I’m always struck by the sheer perfection and beauty of it. The only genuine scandal relating to his work is that it’s so hard to find these days. He deserves a huge retrospective monograph.
not him!!!!
Instances like this make me sick, and embarrassed to even be the same species as the people responsible for this narrow-minded, ignorant work of bigotry. They’re in the same league of morons who believe that mere nudity is equal to and representitive of pornography, and therefore indecent. Also, the concept that nudity in art (no matter the age of the subject) is ALSO of pornographic nature and should be censored, is astonishing to me. Not that I have anything against pornography either, but the inability to seperate the two is ridiculous. I have NEVER seen a work of his that was even remotely pornographic or CP. Naked children do not equal CP… but then again, the perversion IS in the eye of the beholder, perhaps those pointing fingers and making accusations need to have a moment of self-reflection.
the tate removal of ovenden images could also have had something to do with this
(oops, sorry, “pop life fiasco”, right!)
OMG. -_-
“One children’s campaigner described it as a ‘magnet’ for paedophiles.”
“One children’s campaigner described it as a ‘magnet’ for paedophiles.”
So law-abiding individuals of a particular sexual predilection coming to a art gallery, containing images that are not only devoid of obvious sexual content but at no point involved the abuse of children in their creation, is somehow a cause for concern within a safe and monitored environment?
A fucking disgusting assertion and appalling mentality to come from any nation that has the audacity to pride itself on claims of liberty and freedom.
Late breaking news reported this afternoon at Truro: The jury has been discharged and the trial is set to restart either on Monday (they say) or a date in December.
As for images being “devoid of obvious sexual content” (Daniel’s comment above), most images of minors contain obvious sexual content. Children are sexual, and that is something to be feared. You just don’t think like a censor!
i went into HMV the other day and brough ‘prett baby’. true story, i wasnt arrested or anything.
‘prett baby’ is of course child pornography with ‘brooke squeals’ and not at all a typo
“One children’s campaigner described it as a ‘magnet’ for paedophiles.”
One art campaigner described it as a ‘magnet’ for interfering, prudish, witch-hunting busy bodies ….
hi art is ok abuse is not,he did abuse us,he changes the pics,you all sound like good people,and alot of naked art is ok,ie the mum who put her kids pics in gallery,shes cool,but he hurt me bad wen i was 4,and many more have come forward,bless you all,and hope you understand,.x.x.
^^^ LOL WUT?
I was one of Graham Ovendens’ ‘models’. This beautiful man, was a perfect photographer. He was kind and patient, while I sat wearing clothes that I chose. At no time did he touch me in any way. This man is a wonderful artist and human being. Any allegations should be taken off this site. If any abuse has taken place; then the accuser should take this to the correct authority; the police. Any one can make an allegation on the internet, but then it isn’t admissable in court. I have total empathy for anyone who has been abused, but this is not the right forum for your hurt! I was never asked to take my clothes off, I was able to wear what I wanted and how I wanted to wear it. If I was ever naked and a photograph was taken, I knew what was happening and was free; not sexuallised in any way. I wish Graham a happy, healthy, carefree life.
huebadas todos hemos sidos niños y pajeros sino con el tiempo maduramos otros no
I met and photographed Graham Ovenden at his home in 1999, and left genuinely enlightened and open-minded. I am not a massive fan of his work but I feel I understand his motivation and as a portrait photographer myself, I share his desire to capture the complex beauty that we are faced with. My work is of a very different nature to Mr Ovenden’s, but I admire his approach and courage, and I remain convinced that his intentions are perfectly innocent. He is a true erudite and I feel privileged to have met him. The negative attention he has attracted over the last 2 decades will surely have affected him and I feel really sad that he will never truly get a chance to express himself freely.