A gallery owner has said she will reject calls by police to remove a painting of a naked woman from the window. Val Harris said officers visited The Chair gallery in Hay-on-Wye on Thursday and warned that its presence could be a public order offence and she could ultimately end up in court. The BBC understands they were acting on complaints from two members of the public.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers attended the gallery but said it was too early to say if action would be taken. The painting, by artist Poppy Baynam was part of a wider exhibition of work by her and her sister. It features a naked woman wearing cowboy boots with her legs spread, revealing a black triangle with pink wool on top, rather than genitals.
However, that has not stopped a number of complaints, with some people branding it "pornography". Ms Harris said she chose the painting for the window, partly because of its proportions. Soon after it went on display on Monday, she said she was called back to the gallery after reports of abuse from some members of public.
On Thursday she said police told her to remove it from the window and place it further inside the gallery. Some of the most famous artworks in the world feature naked women or men, and Ms Baynham said better-known artists were allowed to display similar works without the same backlash. "I just came to Hay thinking it would be a peaceful week but, no, we've stirred Hay up for sure!" she said.
"It just shows how closed-minded people are, and.