Redhill lecturer in storm over work of 'gender terrorist'
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a lecturer suggested sexually graphic trans-gender photography to a student.
Simon Burgess, 51, who teaches photography at East Surrey College, faces disciplinary action or possible dismissal.
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Artist: Self Portrait of Del LaGrace Volcano made in collaboration with Gerard Rancinan, Paris 2004
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Condemned: East Surrey College in Redhill
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(inset) Concern: A lecturer faces disciplinary for recommending trans-gender artwork to a student
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Sexuality: Kael and Vincent, Paris, 2004 – by Del LaGrace Volcano
The lecturer introduced a student at the Redhill-based college to the photography of gender variant visual artist Del LaGrace Volcano.
It is alleged the college described the artwork, which challenges conceptions of gender and sexuality, as pornographic and unsuitable for students.
The work was recommended to a student completing a gender and sexuality project.
Volcano, who describes himself as a gender abolitionist and part-time gender terrorist, has an international following.
The artist has exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Espai D'Art Contemporani de Castelló in Spain and the Ludwig in Cologne.
Currently his work is in the Glasgow Museum of Contemporary Art and a retrospective of his work will be shown in Birmingham at the Shout Festival in November.
His work was featured on the hit American show Sex and the City and he appeared on the Jonathan Ross Show in 1998 and again in 1999.
Work by the 52-year-old Californian photographer, who lives in London, does include some sexual scenes, genitalia and the naked form, as well as focusing on issues of gender representation.
Management at the college this week confirmed a "thorough internal investigation" is underway following a complaint from a student.
The stance of the college has received global condemnation and seen the artist become personally involved, urging support for Mr Burgess, whom he met in London last week.
Speaking to the Mirror this week, Volcano said: "If my art was shown out of context I can see how they might be seen as pornographic.
"They could be seen as explicit, but I am not a sex photographer. If you pull them out of the context of the book, then they are shocking to some people.
"Some of my earlier projects, in the 80s and 90s, were more erotic, I did photos for [rubber fetish magazine] Skin Two.
"But I don't see that recommending my book could cause this kind of reaction."
He told the Mirror he is considering legal action against the college for denigration of his work.
The artist says he has seen more than 200 letters of support for Mr Burgess following an Internet plea from academics in universities around the world.
This mailbag follows a letter from the artist, distributed throughout the transgender and gay community on the web, calling for action.
Web users were urged to send letters of support to Dr Euginie Shinkle at the School of Media, Arts and Design, University of Westminster.
In a statement, the senior lecturer in Photographic Theory and Criticism slammed the college as "censorious, backward, and homophobic".
Claire Lewis, of Consenting Adult Action Network, told the Mirror: "It doesn't surprise us Del's work was suggested on a photography course covering the themes of gender and sexuality.
"But, if the comments are true, we are surprised an educational institution would make such trans-phobic and offensive remarks about the people photographed in Del's art."
This week the college released a statement to the Mirror but refused to confirm whether Mr Burgess had been suspended.
A college spokesman said: "East Surrey College can confirm that a thorough internal investigation is currently in progress following a serious learner complaint.
"The college takes the welfare and safeguarding of its learners very seriously and as standard practice, the College investigates and acts upon complaints received from learners.
"We cannot comment further on this matter due to the ongoing investigation and as such all detail remains confidential to ensure a fair outcome and to protect the individuals concerned."
11 Comments
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by Simons ex student, Redhill
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 10:08PM
“WHAT A JOKE!
he was one of my old lectures, yes he did look odd and slimy but what has happened to him is a disgrace!...
PHOTOGRAPHY IS PHOTOGRAPHY! FULLSTOP! IF ANY IMAGES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED THEN SURELY THEY HAVE BEEN SCREENED TO A CERTAIN EXTENT?
any photography student who is sickened or finds material like that offensive really have no passion or understanding about photography and its depths...
clearly they were probably just on the course because it was something easy for them to pursuit, to keep the parents happy or something else other than really trying to gain knowledge about PHOTOGRAPHY!”
by Lindsey L, Redhill
Monday, August 17 2009, 12:20PM
“All I can say is thank goodness Mr Sensible (I think Mr Small-Minded would be a better name) doesn't live anywhere near Redhill. Let's hope he stays where he is in Cheshire! The apparent comparison of "gender-benders" to "paedophiles" is disgusting.”
by Frankie D., Redhill
Monday, August 17 2009, 10:32AM
“Mr Sensible, are you saying that to avoid bullying at school lesbians shouldn't be allowed to have kids? Does this also mean that you believe that other groups of people should be prevented from having children to avoid, say, racial based bullying?
You claim to not be at all hateful, but you have already stated that you would like the artist to be hung as a "deviant ". Sounds pretty hateful to me!”
by Mr Sensible, Stockport, Cheshire
Saturday, August 15 2009, 1:29PM
“My dear Dennis,
Of course children need a safe, loving environment and they also must be taught to hate or despise no-one, regardless of how many mummies and daddies, or uncles and aunts one of their classmates may have/ But do you not think it will cause trouble later, when the children of a lesbian household are taught about human reproduction and their classmates ask if their daddy was the milkman or mummy's turkey-baster?
Of course, it would be so terribly wrong to indoctrinate any child about the appropriate roles of men and wimmin, wouldn't it? It's surely so much better to leave them to make their own minds up and, if some of them get confused in the process, they can be given counselling and, if needs be, loaded up with drugs and happy pills until they've worked out what they are.
I am not at all "hateful" as I do not hate anyone, not even the so-called photographic artist whose depraved pornography started this dispute. I pity the children brought up by such gender-benders as they'll be in therapy for the rest of their lives. Even studying the pornography can have serious effects on young and impressionable minds, have you thought about that?
No, my parents were not "transgendered" as breeding between "transgendered" people was and remains biologically impossible. Of course they are now allowed to adopt children as I expect even pedophiles will soon be allowed to under the European Human Rights act.”
by Dennis, Uk
Saturday, August 15 2009, 10:51AM
“Mr Sensible, I guess you could say I'm a gender terrorist raising three beautiful kids. Three beautiful unbigoted kids. Kids need safe loving families, not prejudiced indoctrination.
How come you grew up so hateful? I get the feeling it wasn't because your parents were transgendered..
Dennis”
by Mephista, The Ivory Tower
Friday, August 14 2009, 7:47PM
“No, Simo, unis shouldn't ban anything, not even Mein Kampf: People need to make up their own minds:I am not privy to all the particulars, but years of teaching about art has taught me this: the student has every right to be offended, as long as they fulfil their part of the bargain, which is to attempt to become enlightened, even about stuff they don't like. But, "student" unfortunately equals "client " these days, hence the college's unquestioning policy of letting the tutor have it. Before ANY institution can present a course, it must be peer reviewed. The liability for the student's offence therefore legally rests with the institution, not the individual - the student could have been quietly asked to change course or tutor and no harm done. Instead, out of ignorance ( there aren't many real scholars in university management), they are attempting to construct a dismissal so they can be seen to be 'taking it seriously'. Sadly, what they take seriously is not academia or quest for knowledge at all, it is liability, or their perception of it.”
by Simo, london
Friday, August 14 2009, 1:29PM
“This is just unbelievable! In this day and age!! And we're not talking 5 year old students either... my goodness... bigots should be banned from colleges and universities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by Felix Garnet-Simister, Manchester, UK
Friday, August 14 2009, 12:45PM
“I have been a fan of Del's work for many years and can state categorically that while explicit in its portrayal of gender and sexuality this is an integral part of the work's spirit and neither gratuitous nor offensive. In my opinion, Dr Burgess chose an extremely appropriate artist to inspire his student. The latter should be of sufficient maturity to appreciate that art is frequently intended to challenge the viewer if s/he intends to complete a degree in the subject.
I have written letters of support to Dr Burgess and Del LaGrace Volcano and contacted the college urging the disciplinary hearing to be abandoned.”
by D C, Newcastle
Friday, August 14 2009, 9:35AM
“Isn't it ridiculous that a college would allow a student to choose to do a photography project on sexuality and gender, and then be upset when some of the photographs they need to look at have a sexual element to them.
It's even more ridiculous if it was the student who chose the project who is complaining.
Shouldn't the clue be in the project title.”
by D C, Newcastle
Friday, August 14 2009, 9:35AM
“Isn't it ridiculous that a college would allow a student to choose to do a photography project on sexuality and gender, and then be upset when some of the photographs they need to look at have a sexual element to them.
Shouldn't the clue be in the project title.”