topic So where is the portrait he painted of the Queen? in Community Spirit

Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

davidc4430 — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 23:32:58 GMT

Mural painted by sex offender Rolf Harris ignites 'Nazi Germany' controversy at local council

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-18/push-to-remove-mural-painted-by-sex-offender-rolf-harris/9261618

Just where do we draw the line?

i'm sure there are famous people from throughout history who did terrible things but have monuments or art works in museums and gallerys.

i also wonder why peodophiles are not considered mentally challenged in some way, is it not something screwed up in their brain that makes them lust after children?

we wouldnt demand a painting by someone with autism be removed because 'well they just aint right in the head are they?'

or the many other mental issues out there.

not saying rolf harris should be forgiven his sins but his artwork is something else.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

bright.ton42 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 00:25:28 GMT

I believe a lot of his artwork has been removed from galleries and other places.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

kopenhagen5 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 02:25:26 GMT

I think it should be more about the artwork and the benefits it gives irrespective of who painted it.

It's more a historical piece as opposed to a piece that is up for sale.

And eventually people will look at it admiring it for what it is not knowing anything about the artist.

So where is the portrait he painted of the Queen?

bright.ton42 — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 08:13:34 GMT

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2677244/So-Rolf-s-portrait-Queen-BBC-denies-knowledge-artwork-s-whereabouts.html

Mystery last night surrounded the whereabouts of a portrait of the Queen painted by shamed entertainer Rolf Harris.

The shamed star was commissioned by the BBC to mark the monarch’s 80th birthday and although not well-received by critics, it did, briefly, hang on the walls at Buckingham Palace.

But last night the national broadcaster was denying all knowledge of its whereabouts.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

not_for_sale — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 13:51:14 GMT

I think it should go because it's hypocritical to keep it there. And the comment about the Nazis is ridiculous, given their crimes against humanity. A poor and desperate attempt to try and prompt an argument to keep the mural.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

krylekathe1 — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 11:26:23 GMT

Did you seriously put someone with autism at the same level as a convicted sex offender?

I can’t decide if I am more disgusted by your comments or shocked at your idiocy.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

peteepie — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 21:43:42 GMT

Botox makes you grumpy.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

springyzone — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 05:38:54 GMT

I believe art work should stand on its own merits. In other words, even if an art critic didn't know who did it-would they think it was a decent piece of work or not?

I understand that some art will get good prices at auction because of the history behind it eg a piece painted by Hitler or Churchill or even some pop star. That doesn't make it a good piece of art. Everyone understands it is getting serious money because of its history.

I think some of Rolf Harris's art has real merit. If it's a good piece of art, let it hang. What's the point of taking it down & hiding it somewhere in a back room where it can't give anyone any pleasure? I don't approve of the things Rolf Harris did but maybe his art work is the one good thing to come out of his life.

If it's going to brighten a wall, make someone's day more interesting, let it stay.

If it was bought simply for who did it and not on merit and it's a **bleep**py piece of art, then it should never have been bought in the first place.

Do we really want to live in such a politically correct world that our art preferences have to be decided by the artist's background or politics?

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

imastawka — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 05:45:53 GMT

Springy, it's where it's hanging that's the problem. From the OP's link -

But it is the council-run gallery's public stance against domestic violence, through its support of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, that has some questioning how the painting can remain on its walls.

"How can they back a campaign to end gender-based violence, while we have a mural, painted by a convicted paedophile, hidden under perspex?" said Carol Altmann, a Warrnambool-based activist and writer.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

springyzone — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 13:05:55 GMT

@imastawka wrote:
Springy, it's where it's hanging that's the problem. From the OP's link -

But it is the council-run gallery's public stance against domestic violence, through its support of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, that has some questioning how the painting can remain on its walls.

"How can they back a campaign to end gender-based violence, while we have a mural, painted by a convicted paedophile, hidden under perspex?" said Carol Altmann, a Warrnambool-based activist and writer.

I don't see that it is a conflict of interest.

Not if the painting was bought years ago because of its artistic value.

Hanging up a painting doesn't mean you're saying that the painter was a guaranteed perfect human being.

Having it in a gallery seems fine to me.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a big supporter of criminals making a major profit out of their crime eg family members being paid huge amounts for their story or for an interview. But that's about making a profit revolving around the crime. In this case, it isn't about the crime, it is about the art.

I'll put it another way. Leonardo Da Vinci's work has been on display for many years, even during the time when it was considered a crime to be homosexual. Should his work have been removed? Does valuing his work or looking at it mean the people doing so necessarily condoned homosexuality?

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

imastawka — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 01:57:29 GMT

It is about the crime if you happen to be a victim of that particular crime

What message does it send to the victims of pedophilia?

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

domino-710 — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 04:18:50 GMT

To say nothing of ' artistic value '.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

janeababe — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 07:14:58 GMT

@springyzone wrote:
@imastawka wrote:
Springy, it's where it's hanging that's the problem. From the OP's link -

But it is the council-run gallery's public stance against domestic violence, through its support of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, that has some questioning how the painting can remain on its walls.

"How can they back a campaign to end gender-based violence, while we have a mural, painted by a convicted paedophile, hidden under perspex?" said Carol Altmann, a Warrnambool-based activist and writer.
I don't see that it is a conflict of interest.
Not if the painting was bought years ago because of its artistic value.

Hanging up a painting doesn't mean you're saying that the painter was a guaranteed perfect human being.
Having it in a gallery seems fine to me.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a big supporter of criminals making a major profit out of their crime eg family members being paid huge amounts for their story or for an interview. But that's about making a profit revolving around the crime. In this case, it isn't about the crime, it is about the art.

I'll put it another way. Leonardo Da Vinci's work has been on display for many years, even during the time when it was considered a crime to be homosexual. Should his work have been removed? Does valuing his work or looking at it mean the people doing so necessarily condoned homosexuality?

Good Lord Springy........

(1) Leonardo Da Vinci was never convicted of homosexuality, charged yes, but the charges were dropped. What happened back in the late 1400's has been long gone and buried! Just because he never married, never had a relationship with a woman, nor fathered any children DOES NOT MAKE HIM GAY!!!

(2) Homosexuality is between two (or more) CONSENTING persons. If you cant see the blatantly obvious difference between an artist who you claim is homosexual, and an artist who has been proven and charged with being a Paedophile, then what flerkin hope does humanity have left???
SMH!!!

Rolf Harris was a brilliant artist spanning across many genre's .... but he destroyed his credibility! HE destroyed it.

He is not longer an Great Australian Idol, his talent is no longer worthy of admiration, and his works should be banished from all forms of publication. (I know this will never ever happen)

When a charity is standing up against domestic violence, (the assault of the human rights against another) HOW ON EARTH can you advocate a Rolf Harris painting hanging in the same zone?

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

imastawka — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 07:18:39 GMT

Well said, Jane

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

domino-710 — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 07:34:28 GMT

A ' brilliant cartoonist ' at best.

Take him down.

We don't need his ' input '.

Whiteley - had his demons - as do most ' artists ' - but he/they - did not prey on ' the so called lesser '.

Sadly I knew him.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

springyzone — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 09:06:56 GMT

@janeababe wrote:
@springyzone wrote:
@imastawka wrote:
Springy, it's where it's hanging that's the problem. From the OP's link -

But it is the council-run gallery's public stance against domestic violence, through its support of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, that has some questioning how the painting can remain on its walls.

"How can they back a campaign to end gender-based violence, while we have a mural, painted by a convicted paedophile, hidden under perspex?" said Carol Altmann, a Warrnambool-based activist and writer.
I don't see that it is a conflict of interest.
Not if the painting was bought years ago because of its artistic value.

Hanging up a painting doesn't mean you're saying that the painter was a guaranteed perfect human being.
Having it in a gallery seems fine to me.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a big supporter of criminals making a major profit out of their crime eg family members being paid huge amounts for their story or for an interview. But that's about making a profit revolving around the crime. In this case, it isn't about the crime, it is about the art.

I'll put it another way. Leonardo Da Vinci's work has been on display for many years, even during the time when it was considered a crime to be homosexual. Should his work have been removed? Does valuing his work or looking at it mean the people doing so necessarily condoned homosexuality?
Good Lord Springy........

(1) Leonardo Da Vinci was never convicted of homosexuality, charged yes, but the charges were dropped. What happened back in the late 1400's has been long gone and buried! Just because he never married, never had a relationship with a woman, nor fathered any children DOES NOT MAKE HIM GAY!!!

(2) Homosexuality is between two (or more) CONSENTING persons. If you cant see the blatantly obvious difference between an artist who you claim is homosexual, and an artist who has been proven and charged with being a Paedophile, then what flerkin hope does humanity have left???
SMH!!!

Rolf Harris was a brilliant artist spanning across many genre's .... but he destroyed his credibility! HE destroyed it.
He is not longer an Great Australian Idol, his talent is no longer worthy of admiration, and his works should be banished from all forms of publication. (I know this will never ever happen)

When a charity is standing up against domestic violence, (the assault of the human rights against another) HOW ON EARTH can you advocate a Rolf Harris painting hanging in the same zone?

Listen, Jane. I never said I can't see the difference between a paedophile & a gay person.

I think it is pretty well documented Da Vinci was gay. To me, that doesn't matter. I don't care what he was. I just used that as a quick example.

But whether you like it or not, there are sectors in society that considered or still consider that a crime. Some muslim groups still throw gay men off rooftops.

The question is NOT about which is the greater crime, it is about perceptions. If someone perceives something as a crime, should they refuse to look at art by that person?

If that art depicted paedophilia, I would say that would cross a lot of lines.

But it doesn't.

Harris is no longer a great Australian idol, he most likely won't be able to make a career out of entertainment ever again.

But as for his art, let time decide. Either the work can stand on its own merit or it can't.

If anyone were to be writing a book about Australian art styles of the 20th century, it could not be done properly without a reference to Harris.

Your attitude reminds me very much of some countries where holocaust references are being removed from history books.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

imastawka — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 09:08:33 GMT

Only a matter of time before Godwin's Law surfaced

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

springyzone — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 09:11:55 GMT

Because it is such a good example of so many things, that era.

What about Fawlty Towers, Don't mention the war.

Hanging a piece of art isn't saying you approve of the artist's lifestyle, that's all I'm saying.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

imastawka — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 09:15:50 GMT

I think they should sell it. It must be worth more now he's incarcerated.

Proceeds to go to a shelter for domestic violence victims.

Re: Mural painted by Rolf Harris, stay or go?

janeababe — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 11:40:11 GMT

😳😳😳😳

gawd struth springy,

i think you would be best to stop right there!

You're referencing is appalling and it is not doing you any favours!

If you feel that RH deserves the benefit of the doubt, and you're happy to recognise his artwork whilst ignoring his abhorrent crimes, then go ahead...... and then crawl back under your rock!!!!!!!

Unbelievable!