First published in The Age on October 13, 1997

Serrano show axed NGV acts after hammer attack

The National Gallery of Victoria last night cancelled its controversial exhibition by Andres Serrano after two youths destroyed Piss Christ with a hammer.

Artist Andre Serrano’s and his controversial photograph.Credit:Joe Castro

The gallery director, Dr Timothy Potts, said after a meeting of the trustees and authorities: “There have been two incidents in the Serrano exhibition on the weekend involving damage to a work of art and injury to two members of security staff.

“After consultation with relevant authorities, the trustees and director have with great reluctance taken the decision to close the exhibition immediately.”

Yesterday’s attack, the second in as many days, took only a few seconds. One youth distracted security guards by kicking another exhibit, and the second smashed the perspex covering of Piss Christ with the hammer about eight times, ruining the photograph, valued at $25,000.

Late last night, Melbourne police charged an 18-year-old from Oakleigh with one count each of criminal damage and burglary. He was released on bail to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 24 October. A 16-year-old from Clayton faces with the same offences and was released on bail to appear in the Children’s Court on 8 December.

Protesters gather outside the NGV to protest the Serrano exhibition.Credit:Rachel Gibson

Dr Potts said: “The gallery felt in all the current circumstances, it could no longer guarantee the security of the visitors and staff of the gallery or of the works of art.”

He said it was a great shame the exhibition had been cancelled but the decision was unanimous. “I think there are some really serious consequences or issues of us having to make this decision.”

Dr Potts said he would discuss the broader issues about the decision today, which would include artistic issues and the ramifications of freedom of speech. He did not want to comment further.

The Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr George Pell, who last week unsuccessfully tried to have the photograph banned, said after the attack: “I understand the sense of outrage that has prompted these attacks on the image and I repeat my support of peaceful and legal protest only.”

The first attack, which did not seriously damage the work, came a few hours after the exhibition was officially opened on Saturday, when a middle-aged Sydney man tried to remove the photograph that depicts a crucifix immersed in the artist’s urine.

The two teenagers succeeded. The attack began at 3.30pm when they walked through the entrance of the exhibition, restricted to people over 18.

One youth remained at the photograph while the other kicked off a print on the opposite side to divert guards.

While the guards rushed to subdue the decoy, the other destroyed Piss Christ.

A police spokesman, Inspector Garry Schipper, said when the guards realised what was happening, they overpowered the teenager. The hammer fell, bounced and hit a security guard in the knee.

A witness to the attack, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “Suddenly there was this bang. I looked around and there was this guy kicking one of the photographs, I think the Klu Klux Klan one… everyone’s attention was to that and the security guard started to move in and suddenly we heard all these other noises, bangs. I thought it was a gun, and we all froze.

“Then I saw this person and I suddenly thought: ‘There is a person with a hammer bashing this picture’… people just froze, there was stunned silence.”

She said a very white-faced “important-looking person” came into the exhibition and said “oh my God”, then asked people to leave.

In Saturday’s incident, a 51-year-old Sydney man simply walked up to the photograph he believed was offensive and removed it. The photograph was slightly damaged but was rehung in time for yesterday’s viewing.

Late on Saturday, John Allen Haywood, of Mount Druitt, Sydney, appeared in an out-of-sessions hearing charged with one count each of criminal damage and burglary. He was remanded to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today.

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