Portrait of Ms Ruby May, Standing (painting)
Artist: Leena McCall
Year: 2014
Date of Action: June 26, 2014
Region: Europe
Location: London, England
Subject: Explicit Sexuality, Nudity
Medium: Painting
Confronting Bodies: The Mall Gallery, London
Description of Artwork: Leena McCall's "Portrait of Ms Ruby May, Standing" is a painting meant to deal with female sexuality and erotic identity, specifically how women choose to express their sexual identity beyond the male gaze.
The Incident: The painting was selected to hang in the Mall Gallery by the Society for Women Artists (SWA) for their 153rd annual exhibition June 26-July 5, 2014.
Two days after a special Charity Evening and the Private View the picture "Portrait of Ms Ruby May, Standing" was removed by the Mall Galleries for being "too pornographic and disgusting."
Results of Incident: The Mall Gallery has declined to comment on the censorship. Artist Leena McCall has asked supporters to speak out via Twitter and Facebook.
The case is ongoing.
