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Ethiopian cultural officials nix nude photography exhibit

27.06.2008 15:00 Arts - Source: cbc.ca

An exhibit billed as Ethiopia's first to feature nude photography has been scuttled by cultural officials, according to the photographer behind the images.

The exhibit, entitled Black Diamonds, was slated to open at the Abesha Art Gallery in Addis Ababa on Friday for a week-long run. The show featured 50 colour and black-and-white photographs that include nude or partially nude female models.

However, the exhibit was cancelled this week after the culture ministry refused the show a permit, according to Ethiopian newspaper The Reporter.

"Authorities from the ministry of culture asked me to submit my photos before the exhibition was [launched]. Afterwards, they said: 'This isn't art, it's pornography,'" photographer Biniam Mengesha told Agence France Press.

"The photographs are fine art and include partial nudity, aided by digital photography. Had it not been censored, it would have been the first in our country."

The ministry had no comment.

The 28-year-old artist, who was introduced to the art form as a child in his father's photo studio, has worked as a photographer for local newspapers and magazines.

In January, he told an online blog that while he felt the upcoming exhibition might raise a few eyebrows, he was not worried because the images "don't violate obscenity laws."

Though the gallery that was to host the exhibit is privately owned, a permit from Ethiopia's culture ministry is still required for a show to proceed.

"They are works of art that showcase our culture and beauty. Such artistic works should be encouraged, not banned," Biniam told The Reporter.

He is in discussion to show his exhibit elsewhere in Africa later this year.

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