Artist’s Work Pulled From Sydney Art Fair As Child Porn Charges Linger

Controversial Melbourne artist Paul Yore has had his art pulled from a Sydney exhibition on legal advice after he was charged with producing and possessing child pornography.

Yore caused outrage in the St Kilda community earlier this year, with locals reacting to depictions of sexualised children. Police raided the gallery and seized a number of works. He was charged earlier this month and intends to fight the charges.

The Sydney Contemporary art fair had planned to showcase Yore's work this weekend in conjunction with Neon Parc Gallery, but today have pulled the installation from their line-up.

In a statement sent to theMusic.com.au this afternoon the fair said, “Sydney Contemporary supports artists and their practice, but we respect and work within the laws of the jurisdiction. Our decision with regard to the installation is about the law of the land and they are on the wrong side of it.

“When we saw the work we recognised the issues and sought legal advice which confirmed the work offends various relevant provisions in the Crimes Act Legislation in NSW.

“We regret having had to make the decision but have no doubt it's in the best interests of all the artists and galleries showing at Sydney Contemporary 13.”

The decision comes on the opening day of the event, which is taking place at Redfern's Carriageworks venue.

In their announcement of the fair Sydney Contemporary described Yore's work by writing, “the luridly embellished flashing outside of the structure stands for the perplexing nature of rapacious consumer society, whilst the journey into the mirror and foil-clad interior space functions as an allegory for reflexive truth-seeking.”