A London exhibit of an ASU assistant professor's photography -- consisting of nude photos of her young daughter -- closed Sunday after it caused waves of controversy.
A collection of Photography Assistant Professor Betsy Schneider's work, featuring 63 photos of her daughter, opened as part of the "Inventory" exhibition at the Spitz Gallery in London, but complaints were made and the exhibition closed after a few hours, reported the Guardian, a London newspaper.
Schneider told the publication that she has regularly photographed both her son and daughter in the nude.
Some visitors told London police the exhibit was questionable, the Guardian reported. But, Schneider said being both a mother and an artist put her in the "unique position" of seeing her children through "dual lenses."
"Inventory" was reopened, but Schneider's portion of it remained closed.
Since then, numerous European tabloids have written about the gallery closure.
Schneider declined an interview with The State Press, but released a prepared statement Thursday saying media attention about the exhibit was excessive.
"My work in the 'Inventory' exhibition at the Spitz Gallery in London was misunderstood and blown out of proportion," Schneider said. "The authorities were asked about the nature of some photos of my young daughter and they determined the photos were not indecent."
"My photographs are about the growth and development of my children," Schneider said about the pictures of her daughter from infancy to age 5. "My parents, sisters and husband have all been very supportive of this project."
Stacey Shaw, director of communications for the Herberger College of Fine Arts, said the exhibit was not affiliated with ASU and that the University would take no action in response to the gallery closure.
"Betsy has received very positive evaluations from her students," she said. "We hire our professors based on a variety of factors."
Education, experience and technical ability are some of the factors used to consider faculty members at ASU, Shaw added.
"Faculty have individual things they do as well as the role they play [at ASU]," Shaw said.
Some ASU students have seen her work and were proud of it.
Binti A, a photography senior, has seen the photos.
"I'm happy for her the controversy was created," A said. "She'll get recognized.
"I don't think her work is metaphorical, it's very formal and the quality of her prints is very beautiful."
Reach the reporter at nicole.saidi@asu.edu.
