I just thought I'd throw this in as most of us are either grandparents or parents, something different for us to discuss.

I am not suggesting Henson is anything other than a well respected artist who has no intention of hurting anyone.

I am not suggesting his photographs are pornographic or anything other than a genuine attempt at art.

I am not suggesting there is anything wrong with nudity (personally I love it).

HOWEVER

No one will convince me that he should be taking naked photographs of 13 year old girls and publically displaying them.

According to well accepted laws these girls are not old enough to vote, smoke, drink or have sex.

Why?

Because they are too young. What 12-13 year old girl would willingly pose nude?

They are children. Bill Hensen leave them alone and find another outlet for your creative talent.

Bas I think Henson's work is like very dark & moody. I saw the story of how he recruited kids at the school, like that is scary. He gets away with it cuz he is like famous and the media hype it up.
I think you maybe are right Bas.

fully agree Basil, however it has been done by picasso and monet and many other famous painters and artists all through the ages, I myself and me (all three of us, we took a poll) agree it is a deplorable and incomprehesible thought to even percieve an idea of photographing these kids (and thats what they are) to hold them up as possibly an article of desire, isnt that what art is, basically an object that one would wish to own, to desire, to posses, to berate and degrade our children to the lowest common denominater, an object, is I think well, unthinkable, mate, I would like to know what goes through the parents thoughts, yup, hyuck!!! hyuck!!! you kin photygraffy my youngun's, long as ya shuck up some vittles, shuck's aint no big thang!! down har!! in the hollow, gotta wonder!!! make an aproach to my kids even now at thirty, and I'll kill you!!! Bill, look at me!!! look at me!!! I've got two words to say to you Bill!! piss off you pervert!! before someone really hurts you

     G,DAY
      I to am a grandparent to 11 g/daughters and last weekend at a family get together the question was asked.
My  g/daughters range form 30 to 7 and the main question was asked  what do the other kids at school say.  and not one would admit to accepting to posing naked of part nakid.
From what i have gathered it it seems to be more mother pushed and more so in the arty circle.
 I think it is a sad person that would take there child to such a situation , it may be fine today  but what about 10 years from now.
Ummmm wonder if he would do one of my well used body perish the though.
 gawd am im no prude  id go naked in the shower.
  ENJOY

you, me and Basil, we will go and see if this bill will photograph us, what do you reckon, might be the new thing, if he wont then at least we could have a talk with him and get him to change his subject matter I reckon

Hi Basil.
From an artist point of view Bill Henson has tried to capture perfection as in mother nature produces eg trees, flowers, the garden of eden.

But he's really over-stepped the mark taking photos of children.  The parents are responsible for this out come they only need to say NO.

Mr Henson why not take a close up photo of a single flower in a rain forest on a misty early morning.
Cheers Frank.

While I do not have grandkids and as I have not seen the picture of discussion, nor wish to: Please do not referred to the "B", as bill or Mr Hensen, it infers some sort of relationship.

I have only heard the radio media reports of the subject, but they discust me.

I have a print, painted by Gordon Hanley "A day to pretend", it shouts the innocence of youth, the discovering of life, and the way forward for yound people, WITHOUT exposing them. To this "B", look at the masters, and realise you are in the wrong field, and do not belong in our society.

On your bike you "B"

doesnt matter if you got grandkids or not there BOB the disgust is still the same, give me a hans heysen or similar any day, I once had a scene involving four pictures which was to be grouped together, it showed a squatter clearing land, the wife preparing a meal over an open fire, bullocks pulling a log cart and kids chasing tadpoles, thats how the little fellers should be portrayed, let kids be kids, nothing else

Valderi wrote:

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But he's really over-stepped the mark taking photos of children.  The parents are responsible for this out come they only need to say NO.

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There in I think is the problem, the parents pushing the kids whith out thinking about the implications further down the track. Such is the folley of the wealthy and self absorbed.

The head mistress at the school should have been given the heave ho for even contemplating this.....