Birr artist claims council censored her work

An Offaly-based photographer has said she feels like she was censored by Offaly County Council, after it declined to hold an exhibition of her work because certain pieces were deemed offensive. Swedish native Carolina Gustavsson, who lives in Birr, was due to hold an exhibition in the county buildings in Tullamore from October 8, under the council’s Support for Artists Scheme. Carolina’s project explored the changes affecting people because of the recession, and their reactions to it. However, three of her image/text pieces were deemed “problematic” and “offensive” to the council. After a discussion with the Director of Services, Offaly County Council’s arts officer told Carolina that the messages could affect future funding for the Arts Office and suggested changes to the wording. Carolina refused to make the suggested changes and so the exhibition failed to go ahead. The arts officer explained to Carolina that the exhibition would be on during a time when discussions about the arts budget for 2011 would be taking place and said that some of the comments could be read as offensive to the organisation that was funding and hosting the exhibition. Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Carolina said in her opinion the pieces were not controversial but were in fact quite tame. She said she has never experienced this kind of thing before and was genuinely shocked. She said that artists should be allowed to show their work as it is and stay true to their work. Carolina wrote to the county manager and to the Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, asking for a further explanation, however she has yet to receive a reply. In a statement to the Offaly Independent this week, a spokesperson for Offaly County Council said the following: “Offaly County Council is a public and democratic organisation and all exhibitions within our offices should reflect our ethos and our broad community. The award of a solo exhibition in Áras an Chontae is much sought after among emerging artists in the county and Offaly County Council endeavours at all times to ensure that each exhibition is presented to the highest possible standard. Offaly County Council had expressed concerns to Ms Carolina Gustavsson, as early as last March, with regard to the scope, edited content and cross section of persons being asked to contribute to the project across the county. We did not request any quotations of participants to be edited, but asked the artist to reconsider the tone of some of her text in consideration of the organisation which was providing this opportunity for her. We were concerned that offence could have been taken and this may have impacted negatively on arts funding, for which so many community groups, individuals and arts organisations depend on for their continued practice. “The council supports, promotes and recognises the valuable contribution the arts and artists make in Offaly. Each year a number of art exhibitions are hosted in Áras an Chontae. A broad spectrum of artists, ranging from the school pupil to the young aspiring artist to the established artist, has exhibited successfully in Áras an Chontae. The council is proud of its growing involvement and continues to assist in the development of vibrant and creative communities through the implementation of Offaly County Council’s Arts Plan.”