Well a lively debate is being had by all ... fantastic.

Art has always been controversial - it borders on the edge of our rules and liberties, it pushes the boundaries and it attacks our comfort zones.

The recent images of Olympia were nude but not sexy - though my original question still applies ... could Olympia make a reasoned decision of acceptance. JamesH stated he didn't take a photo of his daughter in gum boots - which is a shame, they are great moments to capture. It is capturing nudity in its natural form - a child running around free of concern. However, the same child being instructed to place gum boots on her feet lie on a lounge in unnatural poses and becoming the muse is exploitative.

I am uncomfortable with child exploitation - whether in the commercal sense (TV advertising) or other forms. The fact the child is nude really just offers the sensationalism to add momentum to the debate.

The quandary is censorship vs exploitation ... What differentiates one nude picture of Olympia in Art Monthly and same picture on a pornographic website? Where are the boundaries? Who can govern?

A final thought ... the positive from this debate is that we are finally over the media coverage of Belinda Neal and John Della Bosca! (or are we?)

Corri: "A final thought ... the positive from this debate is that we are finally over the media coverage of Belinda Neal and John Della Bosca! (or are we?)"

You don't mean to tell us that the happy couple posed nude for New Idea?

I logged onto the Police website this morning to check out the news reports. I see that an 11 year old girl, Lily Herrera who had been missing for a week was found safe and well.
Lily could have been found 4 days ago if I had known (or for that matter anyone else on my train) that she was a missing person as she was on my train travelling to Mount Victoria. She came to my attention as she was inappropriately dressed for a Blue Mountain's Winter night. I was suspicious that she might have been a runaway, but didn't bother to contact Police as Lily looked a lot more than 11 years old.
Olympia Nelson is a well cared for 11 year old with loving parents. Could the government please show more concern for our children who don't have clothes rather than those who aren't wearing their clothes.

'What differentiates one nude picture of Olympia in Art Monthly and same picture on a pornographic website?'

Only the person who put it there. Once Catholic Priests seemed to have an exemption. Now or maybe always artist are judged purer and more sophisticated than anyone else.

Spikey ... I'm not sure that cover page would exactly sell more issues! But the thought certainly amused me.