Sir Elton's photo exhibition closed

Last Modified: 02 Oct 2007
Source: ITN

An exhibition showcasing pictures from Sir Elton John's own collection has closed, just over a week after police seized one of the images in a child pornography investigation.

The musician asked gallery bosses at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead to pan the "Thanksgiving" exhibition nine days after it opened.

The photograph was taken by detectives on September 20, the day before the musician's private collection was due to go on display.

It was among 149 photographs by controversial American photographer Nan Goldin that are owned by the star.

The rest of the photos went on display on September 21 as planned, but the musician requested the exhibition should be closed completely. It had been due to run until January 20, 2008.

A Baltic spokesman said: "Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art at the request of the Sir Elton John Photography Collection has closed the exhibition, Thanksgiving, by Nan Goldin."

He continued: "After the removal of one image from the series it was no longer possible for Baltic to exhibit the collection of works as the artist intended and therefore Baltic is sympathetic to Sir Elton John's request and supportive of the decision."

The image, entitled Klara And Edda Belly-dancing, depicts an image of two naked young girls and was taken by Nan Goldin.

It is still being examined by Northumbria Police to see if it breaches pornography legislation.

Concerned management at the flagship Baltic arts centre called police on September 20 and officers removed the picture from the art gallery on Thursday, the day before the exhibition opened.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said at the time: "We attended the Baltic last Thursday at the invitation of management who were seeking advice about an item from an exhibition prior to it going on public display.

"This item is being assessed and Northumbria Police in consultation with the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) is investigating the circumstances surrounding it."

These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.