Artist Peter Kavanagh, left, and shop owner Martin Price find a way of displaying the nude paintings in the window at Sinsin's in Norwich. Photo: Bill Smith
Nude paintings removed from Norwich shop window after complaints
Friday, February 17, 2012
5:56 PM
Norfolk police have been called in to deal with complaints over offensive shop window displays in Norwich for the second time in a month.
Officers visited Sinsin’s Love Store on Charing Cross on Valentine’s Day to give “words of advice” to the owner, who removed two paintings of full-frontal male nudes from display.
The paintings, by artist Peter Kavanagh, were part of an exhibition at the shop since January 30 but two complaints from the public prompted police to intervene.
In January, a display depicting a mannequin urinating on a wall had to be taken down from a shop window at clothes shop Philip Browne in Guildhall Hill, after a single complaint to police.
Martin Price, owner of Sinsin’s, defended the paintings, saying they were not “Mickey Mouse paintings” but art in their own right.
“I understand that there’s an issue with them not giving people the choice to see them or not, but I don’t think these pieces are offensive.
“The shop has been moving towards a more mature and cultured outlook recently, and this is part of it.
“We chose a couple of male frontal nudes and put them up in the shop window to see what the reaction was.
“They’ve had a phenomenal reaction – from customers, investors, and people who have come into the shop just to appreciate the art.”
The shop had twice been visited by police in the previous week after members of the public alerted them to the paintings.
“They told me they’d had a call to alert them, just to tip them off,” said Mr Price. “But they were brilliant – really appreciative and sensitive to the situation.”
Mr Kavanagh said the complaints at the paintings were “a real shame” and reflected people’s inhibitions.
“But what’s disappointing, as always, is that the whole lot had to be cleared because of just two people.
“We’ve heard nothing but positive reactions, but the silent majority have been beaten by a few complaints. They lump it in with their own attitudes and outlook.
“We had private viewings which were very successful, so maybe we got a little carried away and thought everybody really enjoyed it.”
A Norfolk Constabulary spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received complaints from two members of the public about a painting of a male nude in a shop window display.
“As a consequence, an officer called into the shop to discuss the issue and gave words of advice to the owner.
“The shop owner agreed to move the painting away from the window and we now consider the matter closed.”
Latest News
- Antiques Roadshow comes to RAF Marham
- Motorcyclist was speeding before fatal A47 crash, inquest hears
- VIDEO: Musicians and dancers from Rian perform outside St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich
- Tasburgh electrician completes basic training with the Royal Navy
- Artwork produced by the Kray twins to go up for auction in Norfolk
Other News Articles
- Antiques Roadshow comes to RAF Marham
- VIDEO: Musicians and dancers from Rian perform outside St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich
- Artwork produced by the Kray twins to go up for auction in Norfolk
- As new powers are announced to tackle anti-social behaviour tell us your experience of nuisance neighbours and yobbish behaviour in Norwich.
- Gold medals for Norfolk nurseries at Chelsea Flower Show
- Man injured after unprovoked attack in Thorpe St Andrew
- Suffolk Punch foal born at Banham Zoo
- Burglars jailed for £90,000 string of Norwich house break-ins
- Celtic fans in Norwich in force for Adam Drury testimonial
- Norfolk pet owners given a chance to keep in contact with their animals - by text
35 comments
Anyone looked at the Mail today? These pictures could have been of Chloe Smith.
Report this comment
John L Norton
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Not art as no face - the statue of David in Florence is representing David who fought Goliath. These are sexual objects and we need to get away from objectifying the human body as murderers and rapists tend not see a whole person who they violate just an object. Not too good for children either.
Report this comment
oldowl
Sunday, February 19, 2012
It really is a sad state of affairs when 2 people complain about paintings of nudes appear in shop windows. Heaven forbid if they go down to any art gallery. Will they ask for these to be removed too. Stop being so prudish and waisting the policies time which such petty complaints. P.S. Why is everyone rising to the bait of the troll on here? Ignore and hopefully, they will go. Hopefully, via the A47, A140 or A11.
Report this comment
nobbly1
Saturday, February 18, 2012
It really is a sad state of affairs when 2 people complain about paintings of nudes appear in shop windows. Heaven forbid if they go down to any art gallery. Will they ask for these to be removed too. Stop being so prudish and waisting the policies time which such petty complaints. P.S. Why is everyone rising to the bait of the troll on here? Ignore and hopefully, they will go. Hopefully, via the A47, A140 or A11.
Report this comment
nobbly1
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Claire Voyant, you need to get out more. Norwich is full of lap dancing and pole dancing clubs. There are also naturist clubs and nudist beaches if you know where to look. Plus if you want to ogle naked flesh , the new fangled world wide interweb will keep people like you occupied for days on end. As for NFN, I think you may be missing the point. ALL NFNs are from Norfolk, (thats what it means) Its meant as an insult, but lets not forget that people in other areas also get insulted. On my original reply to your post, the fact that a few people may have complained about these paintings is nothing to do with Norfolk, it would also have happened elsewhere. When the BBC and others get complaints from prudes , they come from all over the country, it has nothing to do with this area.
Report this comment
Abraham
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Good luck to Martin for putting on such a fantastic display of art, and having the vision to include this celebration of the human form in his shop. I thought all of the paintings - both the male and female nudes - were excellent, and they took the emphasis in the shop from merely selling products to something much more enriching. I look forwards to seeing many more art exhibitions of this calibre at Sinsins.
Report this comment
Art Lover
Saturday, February 18, 2012
i saw the original 'david' in Florence..... its quite teeny tiny!!!! It's no David Beckham crotch!
Report this comment
graze69
Saturday, February 18, 2012
wow these people that complain about a naked male form really need to get a grip, granted male and female 'bits' aren't the prettiest to look at i can think of better bits LOL!!! .... maybe we could organize a trip to the National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery or the Tate or would there be far too much flesh being flashed for them to cope with??? It was a naked man for goodness sake, if we were to ask for all sights in Norwich that we find offensive to be removed from view I am sure that there would be outrage!!!! I love the fact that the Police Council insist that a naked picture is removed yet they do nothing to remove the offensive 'camp' at the Haymarket????????? P.S at least the naked men were better to look at than the puppet man........
Report this comment
graze69
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Peter Watson - not sure how to take your remark but if any female wants me as a plaything - !!!! (daren't say anymore, as this'll be taken down)
Report this comment
biglingers
Saturday, February 18, 2012
i like a Rubens myself. pass the custard doughnuts......
Report this comment
bookworm
Saturday, February 18, 2012
PW. Have you never seen the wonderful carvings on sailing vessels? Normally depicting the female form I will agree, however the human form has been used through the ages for one reasons or another. Why all the fuus over a couple of pictures? or has Mary Whitehouse been resurected?
Report this comment
Mr T
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Great bit of advertising for both the artist and the shop and what's more it was free. Wasn't that exactly the reason for doing it? Come on you lot, wise up.
Report this comment
John L Norton
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Mr T -"just look on the prows of some sailing vessels of yesteryear." Could you expand?
Report this comment
Peter Watson
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The pictures should be construed as 'Art', but as they are on display in the window at a sex store does really argue against that. Since when were sex stores interested in displaying 'Art'? As stupid as it sounds, if these were on display at a place more depicting of art then they would probably be accepted, but you do suspect that Sin Sins motive for displaying them was a bit more than just for artistic reasons, so I can understand why complaints.
Report this comment
Lambo is god
Saturday, February 18, 2012
People should have better things to complain about, bit of light hearted fun in these dull days. The naked form has been away of life for decades, just look on the prows of some sailing vessels of yesteryear. Stupid people should grow up, or look the other way.
Report this comment
Mr T
Saturday, February 18, 2012
i wonder how many complaints there would have been had it been a full frontal painting of a woman? they look pretty neat paintings :-) i would say keep it up , but maybe that could be misconstrued! hehe
Report this comment
Jan Quantrill
Saturday, February 18, 2012
If a glance at an image of a male nude as you pass a shop window really and truly upsets you, then I do feel sorry for you. If on the other hand you are trying to impose some vague moral rules of your own on all around you, then please grow up!
Report this comment
Naked One
Saturday, February 18, 2012
My wife objected because the pictures weren't exciting enough. She didn't want them taken down though. Her complaints were ignored of course.
Report this comment
JCW
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Free Publicity for the shop for a second time in month - EDP you should hire the public relations expert who keeps getting free publicity in your paper, and to all the complainers here, see it for what it is A PUBLICITY STUNT
Report this comment
Farquarson-Smythe
Saturday, February 18, 2012
If people object to these paintings then they had better not visit other cultural cities like Florence where male full frontal nudity is available in 3D in the form of Michaelangelo's David! This is art and art is at it's best when it causes debate - both Sinsins and Peter should be applauded for bringing yet more culture to our fine city. What a shame that it has had to be kept indoors though where passers-by cannot enjoy it.
Report this comment
Lourollo
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Better not go near a garden centre. My local one has a pretty copy of Michelangelo's David. And what about the Wellington Memorial in Hyde Park, London. Perhaps it should get a figleaf.
Report this comment
Dr Dee
Saturday, February 18, 2012
@Claire Voyant - re: anonymous complainers - perhaps Sin-Sins complained about their own widow display knowing it would create great publicity for their store. Just a thought......
Report this comment
RichardS
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Are these pictures for sale?!
Report this comment
Queenie
Saturday, February 18, 2012
I object to these paintings as they depict us as simple sex objects and encourages us to develop steroetypical images of ourselves as existing solely for the purpose of being a womens' plaything.It is high time people stood up against this blatant abuse of the male body.
Report this comment
Peter Watson
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Perhaps, if these paintings cause offence, those offended would, perhaps, be wise to look into their own thoughts to work out why they find them offensive.
Report this comment
Thoreauwasright
Saturday, February 18, 2012
In total agreement, Abraham...
Report this comment
Mr Bobby
Saturday, February 18, 2012
If you don't like Norfolk, Claire Voyant, it's probably best to leave... Norfolk is a wonderful county and Norwich a fab city!
Report this comment
Mr Bobby
Saturday, February 18, 2012
I dont see why these paintings would cause offence and its a pity that they had to be removed. However I dont see why Claire Voyant subscribes the complaints to "backwater Norfolk" Surely the complaints are just a few peoples objections, not the whole population of Norfolk. I am sure that similar minority complaints wouild have been received in London or Manchester or Edinburgh or anywhere else. I actually find Clare Voyants sneering opinion of Norfolk people far more offensive than any nude painting.
Report this comment
Abraham
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Here we go again! - prudes 1 normal people 0
Report this comment
biglingers
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Phillip Browne....Sin-Sin...who will be the next victim of the Phantom Window Display Guardian !
Report this comment
Albert Cooper
Saturday, February 18, 2012
If living in a "backwater" and living in "19th century Norwich" means I can walk down the road without having some geysers "parts" thrust into my view, I am very glad to live in 19th century backwater Norwich. I'm a bit of a prude too. Three posts, one answer @(Thoreauwasright , Claire Voyant, IT Man).
Report this comment
expat
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Welcome to the 19th century Norwich.
Report this comment
Thoreauwasright
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Unbelievable. I find it hard to understand how someone could get so upset about this, to the point of fuming all the way home, then phoning the police! There are some pathetic people about. Probably insecure homophobes.
Report this comment
NROO
Saturday, February 18, 2012
If these complainants feel so strongly about the paintings then why are their details not given in this item? The shopkeepers have now gained by such prudes with a wonderful publicity yet again which in normal press advertising would have no doubt cost several thousand pounds If these prudes were to visit Liverpool and look at the Liver Building then they would no doubt suffer from the vapours Still this is 2012 and this is Norfolk what else are we to expect from such a backwater
Report this comment
Claire Voyant
Saturday, February 18, 2012
There really are some prudes around these days, keep at it Martin!
Report this comment
IT Man
Saturday, February 18, 2012