Women banned from 'feminist' show

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A Sunderland artist and gallery owner is to ban women from what he describes as an exhibition about feminism.

George Harrison, who runs the Centre Gallery in Sunderland, says women have forgotten how to be feminine.

He wants men to able to view images of woman over the past 40 years.

He claims the best way to do that is to close his forthcoming exhibition to females.

I want men to be able to look at this exhibition unhindered and unchaperoned

George Harrison, gallery owner

The exhibition, which opens on 26 October, will feature women playing football, drinking pints and stripping.

Mr Harrison says he blames feminism for making women act more like men.

He said: "The exhibition depicts the evolution of women since 1960.

"The displays are not anti-women, but they are a visual depiction of how they have changed.

"I want men to be able to look at this exhibition unhindered and unchaperoned.

'Women more like men'

"The main reason is that some woman may actually find some of the material offensive."

Women in Sunderland who spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle said they were indifferent to Mr Harrison's exhibition.

One woman said: "I think a lot of what he says is true.

"We do drink pints now and there is a lot of pressure for women to be more like men.

'Do what I want'

"I certainly wouldn't want to go and see an exhibition like this, but I'm not bothered if men want to."

Mr Harrison says he will fight any move to force him to allow women into the exhibition.

He said: "I have a property and I can do what I want.

"I'm not bothered if women feel affronted by being banned."