The penis problem: Toronto Art Fair in a censorship battle over male nudes
We’re used to viewer’s discretion advisories for everything from CSI to Freaks and Geeks reruns, but somehow censor warnings on art exhibits are more controversial. Chelsea-based painter Andrew Morrow is set to show a collection of sexually charged male nudes at October’s Toronto Art Fair, but the organizers want him to display a warning to visitors and rope off the exhibit with black curtains. Morrow and his sponsor, Patrick Mikhail, are not impressed. “Here we are, right under the CN Tower, telling artists they can’t put their work on in full public view,” Mikhail told the Ottawa Citizen.
Organizers deny their requests amount to censorship and argue the fair has an obligation to consider sensitive visitors and minors. “We have no objection to erotic art—half of the show has nudity—but on this particular occasion [Morrow’s work] has very explicit sexual content,” said manager Linel Rebenchuk. When Morrow staged an exhibit of male nudes last August at Ottawa’s city hall, the reception was generally favourable (though one visitor wrote, “The world is ending and all you can think about are giant penises?” in the guest book). Here’s hoping the paintings are seriously pornographic, because letting Bytown top Hogtown in edginess would be a kick in the crotch.
• Too hot for T.O. – Chelsea artist’s male nudes not welcome at art fair [Ottawa Citizen]
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/culture/the-penis-problem-toronto-art-fair-in-a-censorship-battle-over-male-nudes/&title=The penis problem: Toronto Art Fair in a censorship battle over male nudes&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/david.jpg&description=We're used to viewer's discretion advisories for everything from CSI to Freaks and Geeks reruns, but somehow censor warnings on art exhibits are more controversial. Chelsea-based painter Andrew Morrow is set to show a collection of sexually charged male nudes at October's Toronto Art Fair, but the organizers want him to display a warning to visitors and rope off the exhibit with black curtains. Morrow and his sponsor, Patrick Mikhail, are not impressed. "Here we are, right under the CN Tower, telling artists they can't put their work on in full public view," Mikhail told the Ottawa Citizen.
Organizers deny their requests amount to censorship and argue the fair has an obligation to consider sensitive visitors and minors. "We have no objection to erotic art—half of the show has nudity—but on this particular occasion [Morrow's work] has very explicit sexual content," said manager Linel Rebenchuk. When Morrow staged an exhibit of male nudes last August at Ottawa's city hall, the reception was generally favourable (though one visitor wrote, "The world is ending and all you can think about are giant penises?" in the guest book). Here's hoping the paintings are seriously pornographic, because letting Bytown top Hogtown in edginess would be a kick in the crotch.
• Too hot for T.O. - Chelsea artist's male nudes not welcome at art fair [Ottawa Citizen]
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It is now time for us to grow up and act maturely. I see totally nude statues and paintings all over Europe, especially in Italy, and we pay large sums of money to go there for the observation and enjoyment of this fine “art”. Must we really be such prudes and advocates of censorship in Canada? Let’s face it, this is all natural stuff. If we are hiding this from kids we should remember that they have been seeing nudity from the day that they gained the ability to recognize and understand.
I just visited the Patrick Mikhail website and didn’t see any terribly lewd paintings by Morrow (including the one that was apparently rejected) in the thumbnails. Could it be that this gallery is criticizing censorship of images they won’t publish on their own website?
As the director of Art Toronto, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some comment and context around this article. The subject of what is or is not socially acceptable is an ongoing issue in the arts. It is obviously an excellent topic for a healthy and constructive dialogue, and in fact next year, I am going to initiate a panel discussion on this subject.
As Canada’s most celebrated contemporary art fair, we have always allowed participating galleries to exhibit work presented and accepted in the application process. We regularly display images with nudity, both male and female.
Our concern in this case was not with nudity, but with images depicting graphic sexual content, their inclusion in the catalogue as well as their exhibition at the Fair without age sensitive warning. These rules are consistent with industry standard practices, including other international art fairs, museums and public art organizations, and have been in place at Art Toronto for many years.
Art Toronto provides excellent opportunities for galleries to promote the work of their artists to a broad audience, including families and student groups. Of course, what constitutes ‘explicit sexual content’ is an entirely subjective topic and we must be considerate to the various audiences we reach.
We welcome continued discussion on this subject, and look forward to hosting you at Art Toronto this year.
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