Ricardo Dunn
THE first national exhibition of gay and lesbian art has got tongues wagging in Bloemfontein, where religious groups and concerned citizens have bombarded the press with complaints since the exhibitions opening at the Oliewenhuis Art Museum in January.
The organisers of Gay Rights Rites Rewrites smelt trouble from the start when the director of Bloemfonteins national museums, Chris Engelbrecht, suggested that some of the more provocative pieces in the exhibition be housed in a separate room.
The organisers complied with the request, posting a sign on the door warning that the works housed in the room could be deemed offensive. They also agreed to hold educational talks and walkabouts for the public.
Following the public outcry, the museums advisory board met last week. It was decided, however, that allegations that the exhibition was pornographic, and concerns about children having access to the works, were not sufficient reasons to close down the show.
The board acknowledged that members of the public had been given the opportunity to ask questions about the pieces on show, as well as to discuss the motivations behind artists works. Joan Bellis, co- curator of the exhibition, said that most of the complaints received were from people or groups who had not seen the exhibition, let alone attended any of the talks.
The controversy surrounding the exhibition has attracted more people to the Oliewenhuis than any other show held there before. It is a complete turn-around, said the curator of the museum, Stephan Hund.
Bellis said that while she was at first upset at the closeting of some of the work, she was pleased with the number of people that had turned up to see the exhibition. Although there are many people who come to complain, far more are willing at least to take a look at the work, she said
As a result of the brouhaha generated by the exhibition, a local newspaper carried out an opinion poll showing that six out of 10 residents in Bloemfontein agreed that gay people should have equal rights.
Gay Rights Rites Rewrites is at the Oliewenhuis until March 3