Y DONT U PUT SOME DECENT PICTURES IN THERE U HOMO

how could you

I'm not not sure what the problems are folks. Can you spell your concerns out so that I can address them?

I would have to agree - exactly what is the problem with the images that were posted?? Bill Henson is a fabulous Australian artist, having exhibited in major national and international exhibitions and is also a part of the upcomming Adelaide Festival of Arts.

I think the key here is EDUCATION, these images relate to art, NOT homosexuality. Perhaps if one had any appreciation of contemporary art or even an open mind to it, one would not be so quick to demand 'decent pics'...

I did say that Bill Henson's photos are disturbing.

But not that disturbing. I saw some of them hanging on the walls of federal parliament when I visited there.

To be honest I never read them as gay sexuality. I interpreted the first photo in terms of heterosexuality.

How do you get gayness out of that?

I was referring to the first comment posted by the ignorant person who demanded decent pics, who suggests with their comment that the posting of Henson's work is a display of ones homosexuality. Which is completely bizzare, as I feel that the work that I have seen of Henson is completely heterosexual.

Yasmin,
I never got that bit. By posting Henson's work I displaying my gayness.

But you are right. That is what they are saying.

Odd that they pick on Henson--there are much tougher images on the weblog: eg. the work of Balthus or Newton.

I don't really understand the reference to homosexuality. First of all Henson's work normally (as is the case of this picture) refers to the relationship of one or two adolescents of opposite gender, not the same. Now if anonymous was talking androgyny then he/she might not not come across as such a daft one.

i think some people, need to step out of the comfort sheltered world they live in and look at the expression that Hensons work displays.

grow up

I really don't understand why people like anonymous even bother looking at blogs like this. Such ignorance is not consistant with admirers of art.

I am fascinated with the uneasiness you speak of since working on a research paper on postmodernity and photography and focussing on the work of Bill Henson. While the images speak volumes, my cultural filters make me not entirely comfortable with images of nude minors!

Cheers,

Thom...

Speaking from the perspective of one who has modelled for him I think Bill is not all that concerned with what brand of sexuality portrayed I think he is concerned with beauty.
However the androgynous nature of some of his male models does tend to produce that reaction from the unwashed.
Perhaps the window to which bill guides us to look makes us feel voyeuristic?
The manner in which he illustrates the adolescent form forces those who would otherwise never have thought of a young mans body in that way to accept it's beauty.
And for typical reasons that is without question intimidating,for them.
Sad...
To attribute these works with a sexual bias is in any case ridiculous, they simply transform in a very skilled way, what exists to a tribute to what was lost.
Childhood becoming adolescence is a time of transformation, that is what fascinates.
Not A sexuality so much as the BIRTH of sexuality.

I do not think that "?" was to be taken literally when he said "get decent pictures u homos". I don't think he was reffering to the sexuality of the pieces, but rather making that statement as a general insult. Just my say, but I think you are all misreading the statement. YOU are the ones displaying ignorance.......

Thanks for drawing attention to Henson's work. Interesting that so many people find it disturbing - a little disturbance can be good for you of course. I'd like to hear more from 'with held' (what a strange name!) on the modelling experience.

Personally, Henson's work reminds me of the religious art of the Baroque - Caravaggio and Co. Same use of light and dark, same haunted, tormented atmosphere. Some of the later work goes more towards an even earlier period of Western religious art - like the girl covering her face with one hand that you show here, who looks like an Eve being expelled from Eden.

i think bill henson's work is fabulous. my school went to the national art gallery in sydney along with other schools and he answered all our questions and he is really nice and had interesting answers. his main answer was that his artworks were how the individual saw it. so there fore, the indiviadual could decide whether the art is porn or art. i love his works because they are so raw and naturl. his other works captivate me as well because they leave me wondering about the story behind them.

i am a yr12 photgraphy student who has been studying Henson for about 4 weeks, i beleive that when looking at his photos dont look at what the subject is, look beyond to what it is that they are hiding, or why he has chosen the elements he has. Dont see it as a nude woman, see it as the vulnerablity and what she has to tell you. communicate with the subject as if it can talk back. His work is pure. it has depth and meaning, take the time to find it.

i don't agree, or understand even, why someone would call his work disturbing. When i view his work , i feel oddly comfortable, almost at home. Perhaps it's because i'm the same age as most of his models, and am feeling the emotions that his images capture, to me at least. They are alomst an emotional oasis. There are very few artists out there who can capture the depth and clarity he does so well and effectivly, and that speaks so immediatly to the viewer. I feel almost offended, or frightened that someone would be offended by these. now excuse me while i go punch a wall...

I don't know why dickheads are getting on this website and try to humiliate the people who are only sharing their incite with us on comtempory photography. Bill Henson is an artist and a genius and it is blindingly obvious some people do not understand what they are taking about.
Three cheers for the people patient enough to withstand the losers who post there thoughts on this page and those who understand how talented henson is.

the transcendence between childhood and adult hood is hensons most succesful work, its rawness yet beauty combined with its dreamlike turmoiled state should induce a feeling of familiarity within each viewer to some extent... veering of into the shallow, narrow and closed off passage of fixating on the nudity states that they need to emerge into the real world and take off the rose coloured glasses, being confronted in such a way that there is an extraction of emotions one has never detected in themselves, is the power and beauty of art!!!

to the person who made the homo comment...grow up!! art is about interperating what is around us...in other words life and sexuality is a major part of that and in many ways can define who we are for the rest of our lives. Therefore one should respect and appreciate the search for a greater understanding of human psychology and physiology it's what makes us interesting and different..and in your case explains why you are niave and immature. you have a lot to learn... so go learn! before you comment.

i went to a bill henson exhibition with my school, as we all know people are passionate about his work they either passionatly love it or passionatly hate it, just because someone doesn't like it doesn't mean they need to 'grow up'. Henson's work has always been controversial and that's what makes it so great. So all of you so called contemporaries can 'grow up' (btw i love his art and i'm not as offended as you)

i h8 his work. it makes me sick. neva wanna see it again.

so don't look. everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion, but try this; look beyoned the nudity, shockingness or what ever makes you sick and look for a emotion, any emotion, you can relate to.

look for hidden messages.
look for hidden meanings.
look for a hidden something,
anything.

then look again.

The person who put the extremely arrogant comment of it being gay shuld really be still playing on the neopets website because they're obviously not mature enough to be looking at contempory art.I dont see how it could be about homosexuality when he has so many photos of couples together... (and there is also pics of girls...) and besides even if it were, art is art. I think people's views on thhe artwork differs between the age groups... being the age of the models helps because u hve more of an understanding of what he is seemingly trying to convey.

I'm extremely interested in the person whho said they had modeled for Henson.. i was just wonndering, how did u get into a situation where u were offered the job. What was your parent's view on the whole thing.. not to be disrespectful but my parents would be a quite a bit reluctant to let me strip down and be conveyed in such a way. Or are ur parents involved in the artworld?

Having just seen Hensons work at the NGV, I have conflicting emotions and views on some of his pieces. There are a number of areas that could be discussed about his work: composition, light, multi-imagery and content are some. The comments I've read so far seem to be debating the issue of content. My thoughts are that his work is confronting on a number of levels.

As an artist, I can appreciate the explicit nature of the work. There is an idea/theme he is exploring and portraying in the young nude adolescents- effective enought to spark discussion and debate.
The voyeristic nature of the work does however cause discomfort. As a mother there is always a concern for your child's welfare and in a world where child pornography and paedophilia is a huge issue and worry for us all, Henson's images are not only discomforting, but are also a concern.

Just some other ideas that could be considered.

I went to Bill Henson's latest exhibition with my school today and the pictures he displayed of 11-15 year old girls having "sexual intercourse" with 18year old boys was disgusting. Most of the girls didn't even have breasts yet or pubic hair which made me feel ill in the stomach that people actually like this. One particular photo of a teenage guy probably about 19, had a strong grip around a little girl who had no breasts at all or even 'nipple fat' or pubic hair and he had his penis inserted in her from behind. I do NOT on any account think that is acceptable. I do not call them "works of art". I am not against all of his artwork, as I think he has taken amazing landscape shots that really grabbed my attention. He definently has talent for photography. But I only saw 3 photos in the whole exhibition of adults and of course they were not alone, but with children. I will once again state he does beautiful landscape shots, but I do NOT like his portrayel of the human "childs" body, very disappointed.

Everyone's entitled to an opinion. What i like most about his work is that it makes people think for themselves. His work reflects back each viewer's subjective world and most of these opinions are in reaction to that.I like his work actually i like most artwork that is controversial. I don't believe his artwork to be porn because it wasn't intended to be, Bill Henson is an artist not a pornographer.

If the camera is an empty picture box that lets in light then this master alchemist left me with the notion that so is the gallery space itself, his studio and the universe. Bill Henson painstakingly translates humanity into light and shows us we are all ultimately worth more than just the precious metal that records time itself. Henson has become one with his own medium, his reputation is the silver that backs a grand mirror in the palace of modern art or a humble mirror within a camera. Any criticism that can be made about Bill Henson is our own responsibility, our perceptions of his work are just another photographic filter.

Hello! I'm yet another one of those stress head's in yr. 12. I'm studying Bill Henson and although there is stacks of info everywhere about his major exhibition currently traveling Australia, i'm finding it very difficult to find just general background history info on him; influences, education, family background, etc.

So if anyone has any info on Henson, plz, plz, plz send to me! dioxy@hotmail.com

Thanx lots, and good luck to all you other stress heads out there.

this is really gay

Smegal,
Why so? It is a boy and girl having sex. That is the general consensus.

How do you read it as gay? What is it about the form of the image that say's gay.

Me thinks the image makes you uncomfortable and the way you express the discomfort is to say gay.

Im studying Bill Henson for year 12 too. I went to his exhibition. Before i went i didn't think i would like any of his photographs having only seen a few in the newspaper and read about him, however after going there i found i really liked his style and uniquness. The only thing is i really don't know how i feel about the images of young children having sex or of the nude children. I dont hate them but dont love them- im stumped. i dont know what i think. rather strange. for once i have no opinion?

Just a personal opinion...Bill Henson's work is brilliant,i'm a year 11 art student studying his photograph's.If you take close appreciation to his work you will begin to realise that there is actually a difference between naked and nudity thus a differnce between pornography and nudist art...for those who find disgust in his works:)

Bill Henson - a great Australian Artist...
is it art?
what is the difference if i take a photo of naked teens & stick it up on a wall...?? art or PORN??? put some lights on the set, and suddenly by using photography with a few brush strokes over it becomes art??
i like the road & track shots..the lights & sky...but why the adolescent body? a man with a SICK obsession...little girls & boys...
or a man who likes to express his vision, his questioning..himself through his photos...??

Bill Henson is one of the most unique photographers of time. I am currently in Year 12 and study him for inspiration and for course work. I went to his exhibition in NGV and I was captivated by his works. Although many people would decribe Henson's pictures as disturbing and perverted, everyone is intitled thier opinion. But what is art? Art is anything that you could put a meaning behind. Because so many people question Henson, I feel that makes him twice more the artist.

Bill Henson has works that have been branded "CHILD PORN" but that is probably what Henson wants you to question. It is because he is so interested in captivating a reality of his own and outlining the pain of adolescents that I find him most intruiging. He is fighting depression in a different way, by promoting awareness.

He is definity a controversial artist... but thats what makes him so good.

i am a year 11 student and have been studying bill henson in my art class for this semster. at first his work made me crindge. how could some old guy be so perverted but then i went to his exibition in melbourne and found his work incredible. its not about nudity its the messages behind the work that henson wanted viewers to realise that was most spectacular. if its ok to show nudity on the telivision why cant someone make it into a peice of art??

Henson uses the nude adolescent figure to portray the human condition and to establish, that, when you are in the adolescent you are growing towards something: adulthood.

These pictures seemed a little disturbing to me to at first: Henson takes his photos when the light is very faded. The creepy atmosphere is very evident because he dodges and burns out the features that he does not want or need. His works indicate no sense of time, detaching the viewer form the figure. It is almost as if the individual in the photograph is hiding their 'dark past' from us. And reading through these comments, he has been successful....

mmmmmm....interesting. Is it ART just because it's displayed in a gallery (or your teacher said its so)? Is it any less pornographic because of the lack of intent? Is it popular because its controversal? just wondering...

ps. has spelling and grammer become a lost "art form"?

What would the work look like if displayed in the church as part of a 'six stages/stations of growing up'?

Or displayed in a community hall? Or in a police station?

Would we read as art? Or just a bunch of photographs?

The institutional context does influence and shape the viewer's interpretation.

In a police station the images would be considered pornographic and depraved. But not so in an art gallery.

Having seen one of his artist talks doesn't make me an expert, but...

I think there's far more staging involved in this work that some people realise. what if this is all set up to make us feel uncomfortable? or to expose the way we see so many things as sexual.
I wonder if sex is ever actually depicted by Henson (is it just that we assume 'nude touching' or 'nude young poeple' involves sex)

Hensons nudes make me uncomfortable and i think that's what makes me admire him all the more.

and why are we not also talking about his landscapes? perhaps be cause they are less controversial. you can't say the silhouette of a tree, or a country road, is perverted!

It is funny, yet I hate the depictions of the vulnerability of the children, I am somewhat enthralled in the way that Henson has delivered his works.

First off, i hate the idea of these children, not so much being put through this, but being depicted like this. I would hate to think of a paedophile seeing such work and would hate to think of what would be running through their mind.

It is fair to say that he is an artist. I believe he is a very skillful man. His raw concept of emotion during those teenage angst years is quite.... different to say the least. But even self proclaimed porn directors like to call themselves "artists".

I applaued Mr. Henson though for getting his work to have such an impact on people, and still not be charged either. Good effort there

his works are intersestin to look at. it catches peoples eyes

we are talking about art and that is what ever the artist has made it ! its not in a church nor in a Town hall move on , talk about what it means to you ?

Just want to say to all those who think that the people making the 'gay' comments were saying that there is homosexuality in bill hensons artwork, your wrong..u have misinterpreted, they were simply saying this website is gay (as in stupid, figure of speech) and that they think his artwork is gay(crap, again figure of speech)not that it's literally gay..

Also i wanted to point out that yes bill hensons artwork may be offensive, and attract a lot of hate towards it, but let us not forget that with all these questions and reviews on what people think of his art, we would have no art.
Everyone has the right to their point of view but try looking abit further than the photo itself

i cant believe how ignorant some people are... his work is amazing... look past the subjects, look at his technique... the way he captures such beautiful warm light juxtaposing with the dark surroundings... hes a genius... besides dont any of u realise that teenagers have sex, weather u like it or not, they do... if u dont like it... you obviously cant appreciate art haha so why are you on this site... way too much time on your hands

I am in mixed feelings about Bill Henson. His photographs are unbelievable more like paintings than photographs, with the use of contrast, light and dark. And while his subjects show raw and open emotion and expression that amazes me. It scares me to think that an older artist took them. Its not porn, definately not porn, but scary.
Also those who dislike his work Why?????

I've read all your comments and found it rather interesting to hear views on how his work is interpreted through such a range of people - the undecidable nature of - is it porn or art?
I find Henson's work to be intimate and provocative - however you perceive his work you DO think about it, you DO question the intentions of the images, hence i believe this thought provocation is a drive behind Bill Henson's work and in turn what makes his images a success.
P.S all the "gay" and "homo" commentary is those people just having a dig at you - doesn't actually mean they think his work has any sort of homosexual connotations, they just don't have anything of worth to say.

In response to the message posted by 'not a critic' on september 19th, I would like to point out that 'its', when a contraction of 'it is' requires an apostrophe, and grammar is spelt g r a m m A r, not grammer. So in answer to you question, yes, apparently spelling and grammar have become somewhat of a lost art form.

i was just wondering on ur opinion of what henson is actually trying to communicate through his art in regards to confrontation

I love Bill Henson's work, he is a genius at what he does. He is my favourite photographer and I look up to him. He is good at what he does, so why criticise it?

police station, church, wherever i don't think they'd be viewed as "just a bunch of photgraphs"

I feel in a time when image appropriation is rampant Henson manages to use very baroque feel, tension, contrasty light, void backgrounds, timelessness and move forward to concerns we are all voicing in today's world. He is producing art the makes you consider how you feel and what you individually think about adolescence, angst, sex, guilt,discovery. Real emotions. Really gutsy. For some really dislikeable! For the others really interesting; raw and questioning. Why are we trying to hide when language is at an all time low, it's time we communicated with these young people. Communicated with each other. Do they need more expression? Do we need to challenge why we react the way we do? Whose reaction is it... Hmmmmmm....