Letter to the Mayor.....

The following is a copy of the letter seeking clarification and answers following the closure of Changeling: Childhood and the Uncanny.

7th February 2007

Dear Mr Maher,

The recent closure of the photographic exhibition Changeling: Childhood and the Uncanny shown at the Gosford Regional Gallery has caused considerable unease among contemporary artists of the Central Coast.

The following are some of the questions posed by Central Coast Contemporary Artists to which your prompt response would be appreciated.

. What events led to the decision to close the exhibition?

. Who made the decision to close down the exhibition and on what basis?

. Why was the exhibition shut down just one week from the proposed closing date?

. Who made judgement on the nature of the work and what was that judgement?

. Does Gosford City Council trust the personnel they have employed to judge the suitability of exhibitions for this Central Coast Gallery?

. How many complaints were made and from what sector of the community?

. To whom were these complaints made?

. What is your view on Contemporary Art and its place in Gosford?

. What would you term “controversial” when it comes to Contemporary Art?

. How can Central Coast artists be assured that our work won’t be censored and exhibitions shut down?


Questions and responses will be published for the benefit of Central Coast Artists.