Fury over Liverpool Tate's ‘X-rated, pornographic' art
Dec 12 2006
by John Harkin Daily Post Correspondent
IT HAS rarely been far away from controversy in its 20-odd years in the city, and yesterday Liverpool's Tate Gallery was criticised for staging a "pornographic" exhibition at Christmas.
The latest exhibits stirring up feelings are included in the "Bad Art for Bad People" show, a retrospective of the work of controversial artists Jake and Dinos Chapman.
The modern art show includes two life-size figures performing sexual acts, while other pieces of work include a doll with a grossly disfigured body as well as a model of a rotting creature.
The art is said to "challenge difficult issues" relevant to modern day life. But central to the row is the fact there is no age limit on children viewing the exhibition, and campaigners fear youngsters will be exposed to the controversial material.
Family values groups have branded the exhibition "irresponsible" - saying children could be mentally scarred by seeing such images. Dr Adrian Rogers, chairman of the campaign group Family Focus said: "Failing to impose an age limit of 18 on such a piece is highly irresponsible.
"The artists and the Tate are obviously aiming to shock people with the pornographic content of this exhibition without thinking of the consequences.
"Families want to spend time together at Christmas, and I'm sure many will go to the Tate Liverpool gallery.
"If a child is exposed to this, it's like them being exposed to a horror movie or hard porn.
"A child's mind is very vulnerable, and images like this could have a serious psychological effect. "Images like the ones in this particular case would stay in a child's mind forever.
