Changeling: Response from the Mayor

The following is the response from Mr Maher dated 29 March 2007, received 3 April 2007.

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Photographic Exhibition 'Changeling: Childhood and the Uncanny'

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Thank you for taking the time to write to me on behalf of the eO Committee regarding your concerns about the early closure of the above-mentioned exhibition. Let me preface my response by saying that we are very proud of the Gosford Regional Gallery and the high standard of exhibitions, level of professional development opportunities and artist support and community linkages that have been achieved in the relatively short period it has been open. These achievements have only been possible through the expertise and efforts of the staff, whom we also support completely.

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Undoubtedly, the 'Changeling' exhibition received an unprecedented amount of negative and positive feedback that was recorded in the visitor book at the Gallery, through letters to Gosford City Council staff and Councillors and through direct representations to Councillors, including me -through the entire exhibition period. It was only after an article in the local paper that made claims of child pornography that the exhibition was closed ahead of schedule. This was not Council censorship of the artists' work, but rather an attempt by Gosford City Council to ensure the works would not be trivialised as a consequence of the articles that appeared in the papers and the public comments which referred to the works being child pornography.

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Contemporary art practice currently does have a place in Gosford. Contemporary art continues to be a key component in the Gosford Regional Gallery exhibition program - through exhibitions such as 'Dawn Light', "Night Walks' and 'Emerging'.

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Thank you again for your correspondence in relation to this matter.

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Yours sincerely

Councillor Laurie Maher

MAYOR

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In relation to the timeliness of the response, correspondence was also received today from T J Thirwell, Director, Community Services And Organisation Development:

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Letter Regarding the Photographic Exhibition 'Changeling:

Childhood and the Uncanny'

I have discussed with the Mayor the response to your letter of 7 February 2007.

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Unfortunately an error occurred in the tasking of the letter by Council Staff and hence this caused the delay in responding.

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A letter has been drafted in response now and has been forwarded to the Mayor for his signature.

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Once again I apologise for the delay in responding.

Mayoral response?

Three weeks ago, eO inc sought a response from the Mayor of Gosford regarding the closure of the photographic exhibition Changelings (see previous post).

Yesterday I spoke to the Mayor's Office and a spokesperson had this today:

"Yes we have your letter and it has been forwarded to the Director. The Mayor is awaiting a response and will then reply to your letter......It is in the System".

I will keep you posted of the progression through the System.

Sharyn Walker
on behalf of eO inc.

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.