Victorian art on display at the South Downs Heritage Centre in Hassocks as part of their ‘Romance’ art exhibition caused quite a stir with visitors last week. The work had to be removed from The Edwin Budding Gallery after several complaints from visitors who said they were offended by the work, which consists of a series of postcard-sized photographs of nude Victorian women.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-38969553
Exhibition organiser, Martin Nee, said “The work was given to us by a local art collector to be included in our romantic art themed exhibition. Before 1839, depictions of nudity generally consisted of paintings, drawings and engravings. Artists then began to use new photography techniques and technology as a new and exciting way to depict the nude form. The history of this art form is probably more interesting than the work itself to a lot of people. Obviously, it was not intended to cause offence.”
The exhibition is running in The Edwin Budding Gallery of the South Downs Heritage Centre in Hassocks until 26thFebruary between 10-4pm daily. For more information, visit www.southdownsheritagecentre.co.uk.
