Nude paintings removed from British hospital exhibit

Medium: Painting Installation

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Artist: Helen Purdie

Confronting Bodies: Northern General Hospital Directors of Nursing

Date of Action: July 2009

Location: Sheffield County, South Yorkshire, UK

Description of Artwork: The paintings were part of a joint exhibition with another artist, Jonathan Michaels, called Another Self. Both artists have worked in health care for many years, and the artwork was an attempt to explore their "other selves," aspects about their lives separate from their careers. The paintings were linked to self-portraits of Purdie in her surgical scrubs.

The Incident: The decision to remove the paintings was made by the Assistant Chief Nurse after concerns raised by two Directors of Nursing. The non-offending paintings were left displayed.

Results of Incident: The two paintings of nudes were removed.

Source: http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/headlines/Nude-censorship-row-.5483344.jp