Bill Henson exhibition closed down by police

The Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery in Sydney, Australia.

A photography exhibition has been closed down in Australia only hours before it was due to open to the public at the Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery. The collection, which show images of naked 12 and 13 year olds, were confiscated by police after a child protection campaigner filed a complaint.

Henson's work is reknown for dealing with the subject of adolescence and often reflects his interest in teenagers and young adults. Faced with charges of publishing an indecent article, Henson said he photographed adolescents because they reflected “a humanity and vulnerability” and that he had “left the interpretation of the images to audiences.”

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is said to have been disgusted by the images and described them as “revolting.” Child protection advocate Hetty Johnston said that they betray our duty to the care of children and that Henson should be prosecuted.

Artists and patrons of the gallery have said that the closure of the exhibition was a censorship of art and that Henson's images had not sexualised the children or been pornographic in any way.

An police investigation about the legality of the images is now under way. More information is available at The Age website. Please note the image shown in the article may cause offence.