Show And Tell: Bill Henson In The Playground
“PREMIER John Brumby has demanded an investigation into how controversial artist Bill Henson was allowed to visit a Victorian primary school to find young models.”
To Australia…
Mr Brumby has ordered an urgent inquiry into how Henson was allowed to tour the Melbourne school to look for boys and girls for his artwork, which often features children in various states of undress and nudity.
To the changing rooms…
The Department of Education and Early Childhood refused to name the school, but sources last night named St Kilda Park Primary School.
Mr Brumby joined in a chorus of concern about the claims. “Such activity in a state school is completely inappropriate,” he said.
Public school is the usual place for this type of stuff, care homes or orphanages…
“Like all parents, I have a deep concern about this sort of behaviour and I’ve asked the Education Minister for a full report from the department and the school on this matter.”
The revelation that Henson wandered the playground at lunchtime, accompanied by the school’s principal, is made in a book, The Henson Case, by journalist David Marr.
The school now has a new principal…
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said: “If the report is accurate, I am disgusted by it. I think parents would be revolted and horrified if this were true.”
Horrified, if accurate. Get the sound-bite in, regarless of fact. Go on the record. But, then, no comment is comment…
Sue Cato, Henson’s publicist, said: “He did not wander around the school, he was supervised the whole time and followed strict protocols.”
In May, police closed a Henson exhibition in Sydney, seizing 32 photographs including one of a naked girl, 12.
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Posted: 5th, October 2008 | In: Strange But True, Tabloids Comments (5) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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October 6th, 2008 at 6:51 am
As a parent at St Kilda Park primary, the only thing I’m “revolted and horrified” by or that “sends a shudder down my spine” is that we’ve got a prime minister and senior ministers who are buying into and promoting this witch hunt and ridiculous furore. Bill Henson is a significant and internationally renowned artist. Sue Knight is a fantastic principal with the utmost integrity. No-one was photographing or talking to the children without permission. There’s no difference between an artist looking for models and talent scouts from sports agencies looking for the next big thing. Do we really want to live in a society where suspicion, fear and hysteria dominate, and where a support for the arts can be twisted beyond recognition into something ugly? Our children should not be taught fear, they should be taught to respect other people’s differences, to develop the confidence to make good decisions, to have the courage to speak their minds and the ability and generosity to listen. We should be demonstrating this example.
October 5th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Miranda has a career path already, let’s not be harsh. Maybe she could get an appointment with Sarah and grow those ideas…
October 5th, 2008 at 10:35 am
This is such a tabloid media beat up. Miranda Divine is the original gossip column hack who started this.
To give you an idea of her form, she suggests that the withdrawal of Australian forces from Iraq is designed to placate Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s take on Henson’s images.
Yes Miranda, that’s how defence logistics work.
October 5th, 2008 at 10:19 am
It was always thought there was more to this story than was told to the media. You should see the girl’s parents - thick as planks! More will come out don’t you hink, later…
October 5th, 2008 at 9:21 am
hmm