The Henson Case by Marr, David (2008) Paperback

by marr-david

Rare Book

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Australia, Current Affairs, Photography

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[James Tierney]

Written at a breakneck speed as the furore broke in 2008, Marr not only retains his usual graceful clarity but a sure command of the chronology of events and their eventual import. A 'short, quick book' that -rarely enough done- outlasts the events which inspired it.

[Steve Maxwell]

David Marr revisits the case made by the media against the artist Bill Henson in 2008 as he was ready to open a new exhibition in Sydney. The case spearheaded by radio personality Alan Jones, and politicians from all sides jumping on the bandwagon declaring that the photos were disgusting.

Interestingly, after investigating the claims, the NSW police, the AFP, and the censorship board all declared that no laws had been breached and the case was summarily dropped.

It is a short read, only 143 pages, but Marr presents the material in a frank and open manner.

[Andy Quan]

A truly interesting book about a controversial issue that has repeated itself in different contexts and countries a few times. Well told, well researched and gripping. What is art? Who decides what is art? Who decides what is obscene? How have naked bodies become obscene, and the nakedness of children one of society's most terrible taboos?

[Yrinsyde]

Made me feel angry all over again. Geez - the listeners of those schlok jock radio talk back programs are philistines (including the radio hosts)!

[Nick]

I was the same age as ‘N’ when this whole furore broke out and while I remember it being in the news I was perhaps too young at the time to understand what was going on, or even knowing who Bill Henson was. At around 15 I was studying photography in High School and I rediscovered Henson and fell in love with his work.

This book was brilliantly written as a piece of journalism all major news stories should require. It was a perfectly adequate length (although I would have preferred a couple more chapters as I didn’t want to put the book down) and enjoyed the research and references to quotes from people hearing opposing views.

Certainly worth a read if your local library has a copy but it’s certainly worth buying as a document of Australian art history.

[Susan]

It was interesting re-reading this over a decade later. Marr lays out the events that led to the furore over Bill Henson's photographs of a young person on the cusp of adolescence called N. He points out the significance of the availability of the images online which has only intensified since.

[Vicky]

I did not follow the story when it happened, but wanted to see the whole picture, regarding this scandal from the beginning till end. Without taking sides or being for or against Henson's photography and its subjects, I found the book gives me hope. We live in a democratic society, where media can not decide the outcome of the legal matter and public opinion is respected but not the rule of the law.

[Jade17]

I've heard that this is a very biased side of the Henson saga but I'll borrow and read nonetheless.