2009 - HENRY SCOTT TUKE RA
Intercom Trust, Exeter decided to remove all reference of Cornwall artist Henry Scott Tuke RA from LGBT History in the region. Dr Michael Halls referring to Tuke paintings in minutes from their Intercom Trust meeting as ‘pedophilia’.
This quote from the minutes of The Intercom Trust meeting states:-
1.2 Michael (Hall) (of Intercom Trust) made it clear that Intercom could not support the use of the artworks of Henry Scott Tuke in this event or any future events. He made it clear that pederasty and paedophilia have no place in an LGBT History pride event: these are part of the history of abuse and exploitation.
The group agreed that the Tuke’s work was perceived as abusive and sexually exploitative of young people and was not an appropriate exhibition to include in a family event.
The group agreed that the Tuke’s work was perceived as abusive and sexually exploitative of young people and was not an appropriate exhibition to include in a family event.
Intercom not for the 1st time behaving more like rampant homophobes than an LGBT support group by turning on anyone who queered their anti-male art stance
The Intercom Turust subjected Lidbury to a very personal attack for for his raising concerns about Intercom's banning of the iconic & highly respected formerly Cornwall based artist Henry Scott Tuke. Intercom had expressed intent to remove all reference of Henry Scott Tuke & his paintings from southwest LGBT history. Gay persons or groups who dared express a difference of opinion to that of Intercom Trust quickly found themselves excluded from LGBT groups over which Intercom had sway in the southwest.
In 2008 a restrospective exhibition of Tukes work was held at Truro City museum, Cornwall. Sir Elton John lending the exhibition seventeen of his Tuke paintings.
May 2008; The BBC Sir Elton John & Tuke Exhibition
May 2008 Daily Telegraph Sir Elton John & Tuke Exhibition
Some of the organisations & businesses Intercom Trust were by proxy concluding & condemning for harbouring pedophilia in the form of Henry Scott Tuke paintings of young men:-
City Art Gallery, Leeds
Royal Polytechnic Society
Falmouth Art Gallery
National Tate Gallery, London
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Roy Miles Gallery, London
City of London, Guildhall Art Gallery
Dublin Municipal Gallery
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Pyms Gallery, London
Cornwall County Council
Private Collection of Sir Elton John
The Royal Academy of Art, London
Royal Institution of Cornwall
Scouting Association- Baden Powell House
Bury Art Museum, Lancashire
Whitford & Hugues Gallery, London
New South Wales Gallery, Australia
Bonhams Fine Art Auction
University College Famouth
Royal Cornwall Museum
Matt & Andrej Komasky Gallery
Royal Polytechnic Society
Falmouth Art Gallery
National Tate Gallery, London
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Roy Miles Gallery, London
City of London, Guildhall Art Gallery
Dublin Municipal Gallery
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Pyms Gallery, London
Cornwall County Council
Private Collection of Sir Elton John
The Royal Academy of Art, London
Royal Institution of Cornwall
Scouting Association- Baden Powell House
Bury Art Museum, Lancashire
Whitford & Hugues Gallery, London
New South Wales Gallery, Australia
Bonhams Fine Art Auction
University College Famouth
Royal Cornwall Museum
Matt & Andrej Komasky Gallery
&
Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Expert had this to say:-
Re: SW LGBT History Month and the Henry Scott Tuke controversy:
While I agree wholeheartedly that we must protect children and must never condone child exploitation or abuse, I am alarmed to learn that this commendable concern has led some people to propose a ban or censorship of artistic works by the renowned painter Henry Scott Tuke.
First, his paintings are not sexual and only a deeply perverse mind would view them as such.
Second, since there is nothing indecent or shameful about the naked human body there is, equally, nothing indecent about its artistic depiction.
Third, Henry Scott Tuke is an acclaimed artist of international repute. His works have been exhibited in many prestigious galleries, where they have been viewed with appreciation by adults and children alike. I am sure these esteemed artistic institutions would not have hosted his paintings if there was anything depraved about them.
Fourth, if Henry Scott Tuke's paintings are obscene or unsuitable (for adults or children) I am sure they would have long ago been prosecuted or banned. They have not been either prosecuted or banned .
Fifth, since a very significant proportion of art involves the depiction of nude or semi-nude figures, also often of young persons, a judgement that brands Henry Scott Tuke's work as exploitative or abusive must, logically, also brand much of the entire canon of art as exploitative and abusive. This is obviously an absurd osition to take.
I would, respectfully, urge you to reconsider any decision to exclude Henry Scott Tuke and his paintings.
In our quest for LGBT acceptance, we should never sell our souls and bend to the demands of the new puritans and the baying mob, but stand firm and steadfast for what is right, just and fair - and defend art and beauty against the ugliness of narrow-minded prejudice.
Yours sincerely and with best wishes,
Peter Tatchell
Re: SW LGBT History Month and the Henry Scott Tuke controversy:
While I agree wholeheartedly that we must protect children and must never condone child exploitation or abuse, I am alarmed to learn that this commendable concern has led some people to propose a ban or censorship of artistic works by the renowned painter Henry Scott Tuke.
First, his paintings are not sexual and only a deeply perverse mind would view them as such.
Second, since there is nothing indecent or shameful about the naked human body there is, equally, nothing indecent about its artistic depiction.
Third, Henry Scott Tuke is an acclaimed artist of international repute. His works have been exhibited in many prestigious galleries, where they have been viewed with appreciation by adults and children alike. I am sure these esteemed artistic institutions would not have hosted his paintings if there was anything depraved about them.
Fourth, if Henry Scott Tuke's paintings are obscene or unsuitable (for adults or children) I am sure they would have long ago been prosecuted or banned. They have not been either prosecuted or banned .
Fifth, since a very significant proportion of art involves the depiction of nude or semi-nude figures, also often of young persons, a judgement that brands Henry Scott Tuke's work as exploitative or abusive must, logically, also brand much of the entire canon of art as exploitative and abusive. This is obviously an absurd osition to take.
I would, respectfully, urge you to reconsider any decision to exclude Henry Scott Tuke and his paintings.
In our quest for LGBT acceptance, we should never sell our souls and bend to the demands of the new puritans and the baying mob, but stand firm and steadfast for what is right, just and fair - and defend art and beauty against the ugliness of narrow-minded prejudice.
Yours sincerely and with best wishes,
Peter Tatchell
Intercom Trust has remained unrepentent and although removing references directly to Henry Scott Tuke, Intercom has continued in its hostility towards traditional male nude art & any who disagree with Intercom dictates on LGBT issues.
Cornwall Lesbian Line Closure
NB: June 2009 Cornwall Lesbian Line closes after 20yrs of community service, having been unable to obtain financial assistance from Intercom Trust to continue running the women only helpline. As a condition of financial assistance Intercom had wanted CLL confidential contact list. Those running the CLL were unwilling to hand over their confidential contacts to Intercom.
