A New South Wales local council has blocked the display of a controversial artwork depicting children killed in Gaza, citing concerns over potential risks to staff, visitors, and tenants. The Wall of Tears installation, created by an American artist, had previously been exhibited in other parts of Australia, including near Parliament House in Canberra. Organizers, a local pro-Palestine group, had planned to show the work at a regional gallery but were asked to investigate hiring security measures to prevent "community conflict." The council’s decision follows growing tensions over public displays of politically charged artworks.
Exclusive: Shoalhaven council says Wall of Tears installation by Phil Buehler posed risk to staff, visitors and tenantsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA New South Wales local council has refused to show a world-renowned artwork about children killed in Gaza after asking organisers to investigate hiring “armed guards” to counter the risk of “community conflict” over the mural.The group, Shoalhaven Friends of Palestine, was aiming to show the Wall of Tears installation by American artist Phil Buehler at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in Nowra on Tuesday, following the work being exhibited around Australia, including on the front lawns of Parliament House in Canberra in September. Continue reading...
