Complaints prompt nude exhibition

The windows of Fountain Fine Art have been whitewashed

An art gallery owner in west Wales remains unbowed by complaints to police over nude artwork and has opened an entire exhibition of naked portraits.

In October, some villagers complained to the police about a painting of a woman in the window of Richard Braine's Fountain Fine Art in Llandeilo.

"A few of the town's elderly residents took offence. One came in and said it had ruined her day," he said.

However, the complaints sparked the idea for a show of 40 exhibits.

This time, however, in order to spare anyone's blushes, Mr Braine has whitewashed the windows, leaving the word 'nude' visible in the transparent glass.

The 33-year-old explained that all new paintings that come to the gallery are placed in the window for a week as part of the deal with the artists.

And last October when he took possession of an art work entitled This All Too Brief Flesh by David Kilvington from Kidwelly, there was no exception.

Apologetic

"The people who passed the window were mostly interested in the picture," explained Mr Braine who owns the established gallery in Llandeilo.

"But one or two people contacted the police about the picture and the police were very apologetic when they contacted me."

He said that he would take down the picture if the police had received several calls but there were no further complaints.

I think that the fact the painting was in the window that has provoked reaction David Kilvington, artist

"A few of the town elderly residents I think took offence to the picture and one lady pushed her head round the door to tell me that it was an embarrassing picture and it had 'ruined' her day," he added.

"I was a little shocked when I got the phone call but the police were embarrassed to call me.

"Porn is porn and art is art and they are not the same. It is good to see people have a view but I don't agree with it."

In Vienna

News of the controversy was as much of a surprise to its creator.

"I have shown the picture in Vienna last year with no controversy and the gallery in Llandeilo has also exhibited work from me in the past," said David Kilvington.

"I think it was the fact the painting was in the window that provoked such reaction."

Mr Kilvington, who has been painting since 1989, has three other paintings in the exhibition.

The exhibition is open until 12 March.