The right to free speech needs to be balanced with the right to practice your religion without fear, persecution, or ridicule.
The Christian community (and many Muslims) take offence at Jesus Christ being portrayed as a Looney Tunes character.
The Christian Messiah and the Muslim Messiah Jesus has no connection to the cartoon character Goofy.
Liverpool is one of the most religious LGAs in Sydney. Religious art should be respectful and unifying, not divisive and disrespectful.
I received many complaints from numerous residents who were disgusted and offended that Liverpool Council was displaying this artwork.
I would make the same call if there was an artwork that I considered to be anti-Semitic or derogatory of any religion.
The following can be attributed to Acting CEO Jason Breton
In response three aspects: the Mayor's position, safety concerns, and the high level of community response, the artwork was removed on Friday afternoon.
Council staff responded to many complaints and the artist was kept informed. He has told council staff he understood the situation and the need to remove the artwork.
Background
The Blake Prize is an independent art award on exhibition at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC) from 11 May until 7 July 2024. The Blake Prize has been challenging artists to explore spirituality and religion through their art since 1951, and Casula Powerhouse has hosted the prize since 2016. Liverpool Council is the host. The judging and selection of artworks is made by an independent panel. Further information about the prize is available on the CPAC website.
On Friday 5 July both the Council and the Mayor decided an artwork by Phil James should be removed from the exhibition after numerous complaints were received.
The artist was kept informed and has told Council he supported the decision to remove the artwork on safety grounds. Art gallery staff responded to public enquires about the artwork and informed them it had been removed.
Additional security measures were put in place and the local police command was informed.
Internal Background – not for publication
Information provided by Clara McGuirk.
Threats and police notification
Whilst no one was personally threatened, the aggressive nature of several phone calls and social media posts where staff had been named was concerning and had made staff feel vulnerable and unsafe. Police were informed about threats to the centre and those of potential protests. This was only provided as a brief to request a drive by and in the event of any escalation. This was done on Friday afternoon.
Communication with the artist
Ms McGuirk had several conversations with Phil James. His Gallery Manager had spoken with the SMH and expressed that the situation was awful and that they had received aggression also and disappointment over the situation. The SMH reporter likened it to the Vincent Namatjira/Gina Reinhardt situation.
The artist didn't want to send a formal statement at the hope he can let this fade and make commentary once feelings towards him personally have dissipated. He said that we could advise media that we had been in touch with him, and that he was supportive of our decision to remove the artwork given concerns of staff and public safety.
