A royal portrait artist has joined a chorus of objections regarding an exhibition at Firstsite in Colchester, a publicly funded arts gallery, that reportedly displays sexually explicit artwork in proximity to areas used by children. The exhibition, titled "Duncan Grant: Worlds Through Desire: From Drawing to Cruising to DMs," focuses on the sexuality of Bloomsbury artist Duncan Grant.
Concerns center on the exhibition's inclusion of imagery depicting male and female genitalia and an audio track featuring explicit sexual demands. While a portion of the exhibition is designated for adults over 18, critics argue that adult-themed material is accessible in communal spaces frequented by children and families. Barbara Kaczmarowska-Hamilton, known as Basia Hamilton, who has painted portraits of the late Queen and Queen Mother, has co-signed a letter to the Charity Commission. The letter raises issues of child safeguarding and the use of charitable resources for the exhibition.
"Pornographic or graphically sexual material is not transformed into fine art merely because it is placed on the wall of a publicly funded gallery," the artists stated in their correspondence. Hamilton, who co-founded the Portrait Foundation to promote children's art, questioned the exhibition's inspirational value for young people, asserting that "Children need to be inspired by beauty – and this is not beauty."
Initial concerns were amplified by a visitor who shared social media footage of the exhibition, which included images of naked and scantily clad men displayed against a backdrop of Pokemon cards, a game popular with children. Rachel Mathews, founder of the local government watchdog Council Watch, described the Pokemon card display as "a child magnet."
Local councillors, including Green Party's Mark Goacher, initially suggested the criticism stemmed from an "anti-LGBT agenda." However, after reviewing photographic evidence from the exhibition, Goacher acknowledged that "legitimate concerns have been raised."
Following these raised concerns, Firstsite reportedly enhanced its warning signage and implemented ID checks and a steward at the exhibition's entrance. An Essex County Council spokesperson stated that they are "satisfied that appropriate safeguards are in place for this exhibition." Colchester City Council noted that Firstsite operates as an independent charity responsible for its own exhibitions.