Controversial Australian art photographer Bill Henson says everyday pursuits such as contact sport or horse riding cause far more harm to minors than his photographs of naked teenage children.
Henson, who was at the centre of a media storm over his images of naked 12- and 13-year-old girls in 2008, spoke out when he opened the Melbourne Art Fair with a 90-minute lecture and discussion at Melbourne's Federation Square on Monday night.
He called on politicians to take a more statesman-like role in defending art and its place in formation of history against those who attack it in a contemporary context.
In a later discussion, Henson defended children's ability to consent to a range of activities, including serious medical procedures and, in the case of Victorian children aged as young as 15, a sex change.
"This is a reality of the law today, so when people say that a kid can't consent to that is sheer nonsense," Henson said.
"Of course, you can't speak about consent without speaking about harm. Now, I'm not talking about imagined harm. I'm not talking about perceived harm. Actual harm to our kids.
"I'd suggest that every day in this state (Victoria) and around the country, children consent and parents and schools provide consent for activities that result in real harm to real kids all the time, significant amounts of harm which are accurately documented and there for any of us that care to look them up.
"I'm talking about the harm that results from underage contact sport.
"Imagine being a happy, healthy 12-year-old boy kicking a football around and then finding yourself in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. You can't imagine the emotional and psychological damage but these things happen every day."
Henson had a further message for those who suggested his work harmed children.
"When there is mass statistical information to show the real harm to real kids that results from (contact sport), spinal injuries resulting from girls at pony clubs, it's significant.
"There is no statistical documentation to suggest anywhere, so far as my legal research has been able to discover, that shows that life modelling by children for artists results in physical or psychological damage."
In 2008, NSW police raided a Sydney art gallery and seized Henson's images.
While police said at the time they expected to lay charges against Henson, the investigation collapsed and he was never charged, but former prime minister Kevin Rudd fiercely attacked the photos and declared them "absolutely revolting".
The Melbourne Art Fair is a biennial contemporary art event and this year runs from August 2-8.
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