SCULPTURE at Bathers’ decision to reject a nude sculpture has been “blown out of proportion” according to the exhibition’s artistic director. 

This week, celebrated Freo sculptor Greg James’ depiction of Greek goddess Gaia was in the news after reportedly missing out on the popular exhibition on account of “nudity”.

The decision was made by a panel including the event’s artistic director and lead curator Sandra Murray, with James receiving a rejection letter on September 12 which didn’t cite any reasons.

In a statement, Sculpture at Bathers said the decision was based on the “selection criteria” and that “nudity [was] not the issue”.

James was later visited at his Freo studio by Ms Murray. 

“Sandra Murray came in here and said to me there was an issue with nudity,” James told the Herald, adding the information was “volunteered” and overheard by staff. 

Greg James’ Gaia. Photo by Peter Zuvela

Artist Janet Nixon was present during the visit and recalled Ms Murray saying there was a “problem” with the “nudity” of Gaia.

According to Ms Murray the visit took place in early December 2024.

Ms Murray said she “went out of her way” to visit James and told him that she was “sorry he didn’t get in”.

“I told him there was an issue with the naked form, [but] did not go into the details of this.”

Although she knew there were other people in the studio, Ms Murray was unaware they were listening to the conversation.

“They must have been eavesdropping,” Ms Murray said. 

Ms Murray said she also offered James an opportunity to submit another work for the indoor exhibition, which he did not take.

A media storm erupted after FreoView’s Roel Loopers published “Too Nude for Prude Sculpture @ Bathers”.

According to James, Mr Loopers had visited the studio to ask why he didn’t have a work in the upcoming exhibition. 

James said he was not present when the blogger and columnist came by and it was his staff who told him about the nudity issue. 

Ms Murray said three other works in the exhibition are nude and are “very contemporary and innovative in their artistic approach”.

“There is a huge difference between nudity and sexualisation of the female form,” Ms Murray said.

Sculpture at Bathers maintains that James’ work was not chosen because it “did not meet the criteria values as much as the successful entries”.

“Whilst it is technically sound, it is not site-specific to Bathers Beach/Manjaree like James’ successful entry in 2022, nor is it conceptually refined or innovative,” the statement reads.

Ms Murray says that the whole situation has been “distressingly malicious”.

“This doesn’t do the organisation or [James] any great service, it’s a disservice to us,” Ms Murray said. 

James maintains his support for Sculpture at Bathers.

“I didn’t have a problem with being told I wasn’t in it and in anything I’ve had to say since I’ve continued to support Sculpture at Bathers,” James said. 

He invites the public to visit his studio to view Gaia.

“I would be most happy for the public to come in and view the work and make their own assessment,” James said. 

Ms Murray did say that without the controversy she doubts Sculpture at Bathers would have been on Channel 7 three times in the lead up to the exhibition. 

“This has certainly shone a spotlight on Sculpture at Bathers, and we are hoping that it will encourage people to come down and see for themselves the exhibition and enjoy it.”

by ELOISE BUDIMLICH