Art - or porn ?

The art world is in uproar since the police raided an exhibition and sized nude photographs of children under sixteen years of age - and have threatened to lay charges of exhibiting pornography.

That raises the question of just what is art ! Paintings by the old masters who are revered contain a concentration of the nude human form, and many of those paintings included young children. There is no question that this is art - and no objection to the presence of children below the age of consent.

Perhaps one of the mitigating factors is that these are paintings. What we are seeing is " not the real thing " - but the artist's impression of what his or her eye perceives. In the mind of some, this reduces the reality of a nude painting and somehow lets it cross the border into the definition of art.

The exhibition under siege is by renowned photographic artist Bill Henson - and comprises not paintings but twenty-one photographs. They are mostly of the area above the waist but the fact that the models are young girls has upset morals crusaders and those who - for religious or other reasons - decry any form of nudity.

It is a long time since the courts did battle over censorship and that last case was over a book, not a painting. That book was " Portnoy's Complaint " and the judges were asked to decide whether certain words - and descriptions of acts - should not be read by citizens of this country. The decision struck down censorship - and ever since Australia has read whatever it chooses.

There has been recent uproar over models under sixteen years on the catwalk at clothing design exhibitions. No law changes occurred, but the industry imposed self discipline and decided that in future an age limit would apply.

What happens next as a result of Bill Henson's exhibition at the Roslyn Oxley gallery in Sydney can be anyone's guess. The police may refer the matter to the office of public prosecutions - who may either drop it or proceed.

If it goes to court we can expect a spectacular battle between the art world and that of the moral crusaders. On past performance the outcome has seen a lack of resolve by judges to impose any form of censorship.

The thinking seems to be that those offended have the right to walk away and their outrage is not a reason for those of another view to be denied access.

In contrast, the protection of children has assumed greater importance in recent times and there have been new laws enacted that make it an offence to be in possession of child pornography.

An epic battle looms - and this time the outcome is uncertain !