Changeling: Response from the Mayor

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

Photographic Exhibition 'Changeling: Childhood and the Uncanny'

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.

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.

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'.

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

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:

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.

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

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

Once again I apologise for the delay in responding.