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Friday December 5, 2008

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Derryn Hinch attacks Bill Henson

Posted by: Derryn Hinch, 3AW Drive | 6 October, 2008 - 4:19 PM
Artist Bill Henson - scouted for talent at a primary school

This is so crazy. This is so bizarre. This is so disgusting. And this is so wrong I hardly know where to start.

A man who photographs naked children for a living in the name of art is given permission by a primary school principal to wander around the school yard, incognito, to pick out possible models for his camera.

What was the headmaster Sue Knight thinking? What was artist Bill Henson thinking as he prowled the grounds of the St Kilda Primary School. 'There's a pretty nine-year-old girl. She'd look good naked. There's an innocent looking ten-year-old boy. I could imagine him backlit with no clothes on.'

Any other man, with or without a camera, could be arrested for loitering with intent.

To me this is madness. In Henson's own words, to author David Marr: "I went in there -just wandered around while everyone was having their lunch. I saw this boy, and I saw a girl too, actually, and I thought they would be great. And the principal said 'fine, I will give the parents a ring and let you know'."

The parents hadn't been told that an artist who specialised in photos of naked children was conducting a sort of pre-pubescent, mini-meat market in their school grounds.

And this is at a time when parents are being stopped  for even trying to take innocent pictures of their own kids at swimming carnivals.

Don't let the artsy-fartsy world con you on this one. And make you feel like Philistines or prudes.

There are several big issues at stake. One is the sdafety and the sanctity of the schoolyard. You should be confident that when you send your children off to school they will be protected. It is for good reason that adults cannot wander around schools at will. In this case, for some bizarre reason, Henson had the principal's permission.

The other issue is the exploitation of children. The last Henson controversy was earlier this year. A  black and white photo of a 12-year-old girl - naked with growing breasts and hands casually folded over her crotch - was featured on the invitation to a Sydney art gallery event.

As I said then: Some will say it is art. That it is professional expression.Some will protest that the body is beautiful. To display it is natural. But it is also a lucrative business for both the gallery and the cameraman.

I won't argue if an adult woman wants to pose for Playboy or make porno movies.

But this girl, and the boy from St. Kilda were not old enough to understand the full ramifications of what they were unleashing. And to the sicko, psycho, raincoat brigade their innocence and naiveté that makes it even more appealing. What the hell have we come to?

Blog comments Your Say

  • Sick Wierd individuals like this creep should be banned from ALL schools. The principal should be Sacked as he or she is condoning the use of schoolyards for the use of pedofiles to seek their victims

    Peter Farmer Monday 6 October, 2008 - 4:58 PM

  • hahahahahhaa Derryn Hinch is so old who would expect him to say anything else.
    His projections of Hensons intentions probably only reflect what goes on in his own mind, the old creep.
    "And this is at a time when parents are being stopped for even trying to take innocent pictures of their own kids at swimming carnivals."
    Why do you think that is? maybe because philistines like you proliferate this silly paranoia.

    anna Monday 6 October, 2008 - 5:26 PM

  • Mr Hinch

    I applaude your views on this issue. Bill Henson, in my eyes is nothing more than a predator in an attempt to gratify his own sexual desires. I felt physically sick on hearing that Mr Henson had been given approval to "scout" for potential (well underage) models in the name of "art". Where do we draw the line? When does "art" become paedophilia?

    Amelia Monday 6 October, 2008 - 7:45 PM

  • I totally agree with you on this. This is definitley crossing the line. I saw an early exhibition of Henson's work in the eighties and was unerved when he told people at a floor talk that he got his subjects from street kids living in deserted buildings in St. Kilda. They had dirt and blood smeared on them and there were syringes lying around. One person i have heard of who is now an adult still feels "uncomfortable" about her involvement in these photographs when she was a child. I am sure that past models who may still be affected in a negative way by their involvement with this artist and photos of them that were exhibited, would not want to make any public comment or be involved in any controversy on the subject. WE only hear from the one ('s) who think there is nothing wrong with it.

    Margaret Monday 6 October, 2008 - 7:55 PM

  • Why, as an "artist" is Bill Henson exempt from using the proper channels in his search for models? Why not approach a talent or modelling agency? Where does Bill Henson get the idea that he, as an "artist" is above the law? He is, in my eyes nothing more than a middle aged creep with sick, sexual inclinations.

    Amelia Monday 6 October, 2008 - 8:02 PM

  • Derryn, could not agree more with your comments. And to have parents support the principal - that is all fine for looking after the school - but does she have the ability to look after the children? The act alone of scouring the school grounds - imagining what these children look like naked - whether alone or with other children - is beyond belief. A crime in itself, and to knowingly escort this person - is to me a partner in crime. My question would be - did the principal's children or grandchildren get a chance of being paraded as well? I would be asking her this question, before I go any further.

    kon Monday 6 October, 2008 - 9:36 PM

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