'No shame' in nude child portraits, says accused artist

 
21 March 2013
WEST END FINAL

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An internationally acclaimed artist living in Cornwall who is accused of being a paedophile has told a court of the "witch-hunt" surrounding those whose works involve nude children.

Graham Ovenden, who told police he had a "major reputation" for having "some of the best portraits of children in the last 200 years", is accused of sexually abusing children at his former and current homes in London and Cornwall respectively, dating back 40 years.

The 70-year-old painter and photographer, whose work has hung in a Tate gallery and some of the world's greatest museums, told Truro Crown Court how there was "no shame" in the so-called "state of grace", saying there was a "moral obligation" to capture that.

Giving evidence from the witness stand, Ovenden talked the jury through some of the images - including those featuring nudes and children in states of partial dress.

Referring to one of his subjects, an alleged victim in the case who cannot be named for legal reasons, he said: "(She) was a beautiful child - not only as she was, as you see her in front of a camera, but also as a person.

"It think it is important that someone pays homage to that and place her in a state of grace.

"I think holding those things, by photography or painting, is a moral obligation."

Referencing esteemed English poet William Blake, Ovenden described the "state of grace" as "a thing of wondrous beauty".

In one of several references to Christianity in court, Ovenden said: "Imagine Adam and Eve before the serpent - there's no shame.

"We're not born with trousers, skirts, shirts and shoes. One of the great qualities of art is to go back to the great point, the Garden of Eden."

He described the "Christian guilt complex" as being responsible for the addition of fig leaves in artwork from the 17th century on, to prevent figures from being completely nude.

Ovenden told the court how he had photographed children both clothed and partially clothed, in the presence of others, including the alleged victim's relatives.

He also told the court how he was also asked to take pictures of his subjects, including nude children.

He told the court: "I have to say the absolute witch-hunt which is going on at the moment - and the idea of a child naked is something to be frowned upon - is absolutely abhorrent."

The court was shown images said to have been recovered from Ovenden's computer by police, apparently showing girls in various positions.

Ovenden described the images as "utterly vile" and said they showed "the destruction of childhood".

But he also said they were unfinished and had been removed from context. He said police, in printing them, had been the first publishers of the work.

Mr Quaife said the suggestion that they were works in progress was "a convenient cover story".

Ovenden replied: "More, Mr Quaife, your visual illiteracy."

The prosecutor said: "The truth is you're sexually besotted with young girls. The proof of your obsessions are your images."

But Ovenden denied the allegation, adding that he had not taken a photograph of a girl for 24 years.

He accused Mr Quaife of being "a fantasist" and that the situations where the abuse is said to have taken place "never arose".

Ovenden said: "I'm afraid I don't suffer your same neuroses for nakedness of children. In fact, I despise you for it."

Mr Quaife accused Ovenden of being "sexually obsessed with girls", adding: "You're a paedophile, aren't you?"

The artist replied: "I'm certainly not."

Ovenden denies all charges. The case was adjourned until Monday.

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