VISCERA ARTIST CHARGED

Rhodes University lecturer and artist Mark Hipper had been charged
under the Film and Publications Act of 1996 for his exhibition which
explored child sexuality. The Film and Publications Board CEO Nana
Makaula has accused Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Lindiwe Sisulu of
old-order politics after Sisulu's threat to ban this exhibition of
child nudes. Sisulu suggested that the exhibition be banned during an
interview with "SAfm" radio yesterday. Makaula said that Sisulu was
doing exactly what had happened in the past whereby the minister would
tell the Board what to. According to reports, Sisulu told the "SAfm":
"I am saying to you now, and I will say it tomorrow, we do not allow
child pornography in whatever form."

Makaula indicated that Sisulu has a right to advise but not to impose
any instructions to the board. The board was made a statutory body to
ensure its independence and no political interference. Makaula said
that it was an embarrassment to both the Board and Sisulu that Sisulu
had made such a public statement. Makaula also said that the Board's
procedure is to wait for complaints from the public, then to
constitute a committee of examiners to investigate the complaint.
According to Makaula, her first impressions was that the art was a
"bona fide" piece. She said that the board has been examining
Schedule 11 of the Act which defines what is sexual conduct.

BACKGROUND

An age restriction has been placed on a Grahamstown art exhibition on
children and sexuality at Rhodes University Art School by the Film and
Publication Board, following official complaints from the Child
Welfare and the Women Against Child Abuse. Rodhes University
vice-chancellor Dr Woods confirmed that officials from the board had
visited the exhibition and requested that children under 12 be
prohibited from viewing the exhibition entitled Viscera. Dr Woods said
that a warning stating "This exhibition contains nudity and may cause
offence" had been placed in the entrance to the display. The sexually
explicit sketches of nude children by the artist and university
lecturer Mark Hipper have caused controversy over artistic freedom and
child pornography. However, Hipper denied that his exhibition was
pornographic and he claimed that it was "about children discovering
their sexuality and coming to terms with it". He also denied
allegations that children had posed for the sketches.

ENDS