Published on: 2nd October, 2009
Actor Brooke Shields nude photo at the age of 10 has been removed from an exhibition in one of the UK’s top gallery Tate Modern. Gallery has closed the exhibition room after police pornography investigation started. In 1983 artist, Richard Prince photographed US star posing nude in a bathtub, oiled and wearing heavy make up looking directly at the camera.
Gallery officials said they sought legal advice before displaying the work. They are currently working with staff to ensure they do not break law or cause any offence to the visitors. Brooke is popular for her role in Pretty Baby where she appeared nude at the age of 12, pictures of actress starring in the Blue Lagoon. Picture was kept separate from rest of the display in the Pop Life: Art in a Material World exhibition, which features sexually explicit images and work taken for pornographic magazines. Exhibition co-curator Jack Bankowsky expects the artistic interest should not be surpassed by controversy. Rest of the show including a video of an artist having sex with a collector would be open for public on Thursday. US judge in 1983 has stated photo clicked by Prince were not sexually suggestive, provocative, or pornographic. Prince mentioned in order to be considered pornographic she needs to do something sensual or sexual.