Exhibit featuring photos of homeless draws complaints

By The Associated Press

11.13.02

Printer-friendly page

WILTON, N.H. — A photo exhibit at Town Hall designed to raise money for a food pantry is drawing complaints from residents who object to the disturbing images.

The black-and-white photographs taken by resident Preston Heller feature urban street scenes and people he describes as being "at the bottom of the social ladder."

Some are homeless, while others are struggling to get by. One photo shows a man hunting through a trash can; another shows people sleeping on the sidewalk.

The photos aren't for sale, but anyone who donates at least $25 to the Open Cupboard Food Pantry gets a copy of a picture. Though $125 has been donated by visitors to Town Hall, no one has claimed any of the photos.

Town Clerk Jane Farrell said she has heard more negative than positive comments about the pictures. The complaints prompted the Board of Selectman to suggest removing the exhibit.

The board suggested "something more in keeping with the holiday season, some paintings maybe," said Peggy Arn, the board's administrative assistant.

But artist Gail Hoar, who arranged the exhibit, said she would not remove the show because she committed the space to Heller and the food pantry through December.

"I am not going to censor art," she said, adding, "I think this is the right season for people to think about others less fortunate."

Hoar said the show was meant to raise awareness of the human condition.

"Not everything is pretty," she said.

The photographer agreed.

"I'm not surprised people are offended, but they need to ask themselves why the pictures upset them," Heller said. "I know they make people uncomfortable. Art isn't always about pictures of sunsets or lakes. It is also a tool to help us understand our world."

All 125 of Heller's pictures can be viewed on his Web site.

The pictures were taken in Manchester, Lowell, Mass. and Boston, he said.

"I find myself taking more and more pictures of people, particularly those who are down on their luck. My kids questioned me, 'Was I exploiting these people?' and I guess I was, so I began thinking about what I could do about that issue, and came up with donations," he said.

Related

Honolulu, ACLU settle lawsuit over banned art
Group sued after piece featuring nude woman on a cross was barred from city hall exhibit.  03.10.02