ART EXHIBITION FOR ALL

The Publication and Film Board decided on July 10 that Hipper's
paintings were not pornographic following a criminal charge against
him by the Grahamstown Child and Welfare Society. The criminal
complaint was in terms of the Film and Publication Act 65 of 1996 and
had been lodged in connection with Hipper's controversial exhibition
on children and their sexuality. The Board said " the exhibition is
open to everybody but parental guidance is advised." Age restriction
and a warning to visitors were placed as temporary measures by the
Board following their visit to the exhibition. The Board's verdict
indicated that censorship was not the way to reduce the terrible
incidence of sexual crime against children. Last week the police
investigating officer Captain Leon Classens said that the SA
Narcotics Bureau was investigating charges that Hipper was
in possession of child pornography in terms of the F & P Act of 1996.
He said that the findings would be submitted to Eastern Cape
attorney-general, Les Roberts to decide whether to prosecute Hipper.

ENDS