SooBin Art Gallery had wanted to showcase the US$60,000 (Bt2.1 million) oil painting in the atrium of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (Mica) building in Hill Street. It is part of an exhibition in the gallery, located in the building's ground floor. But Mica said that the work can be displayed only in such a way that the public does not have ready access to it. A Mica spokesman said the painting was not banned. But, as the building's landlord, it had to comply with the Media Deve-lopment Authority's guidelines.

The guidelines state that nude or erotic artworks "should not be displayed in venues which are easily accessible to general audiences, including children and youths". She added that the atrium was a public area and display materials "should not offend general standards of taste and decency".

The painting was on display briefly last night during the opening reception for invited guests. But later, it was turned to face the wall.

It is the centrepiece of a month-long exhibition by Beijing artist Chen Xi, 38. The painting shows a model, covered in soap suds against a black backdrop, with a parrot flying over her head.There are four other nudes among the 29 works on show in the gallery.

The artist told The Straits Times: "The painting celebrates independence and freedom. It is a wholesome message that carries no sexual connotations."

The Straits Times

Asia News Network

Singapore