HRAFF undertakes a 10 month long submission process in order to select the works that are featured in the Festivals art exhibition. In 2011, the theme of the exhibition is “Create the Example”, it is one that asks artists to “look beyond objectification of human rights issues to solutions and ideals that lead the way”. Over the course of the year many artists put forward work through the submission process hoping to be featured in the exhibition, of course it is impossible for the Festival to include them all and HRAFF reserves the right to curate the exhibition in line with its predetermined theme.

The work in question did not go through this submission process. It was brought to the exhibition the day of the installation and had never been seen by the curators prior to this, despite requests. Upon its arrival it was decided firstly that it was unfair to include a work that had not gone through the same process as others included in the exhibition and secondly that the piece itself did not fit within the broader theme of the exhibition described above.

At no point was censorship of the work or of the Israel/Palestine issue a motivating factor. Censoring artists is contrary to the very nature of a human rights art and film festival and if there is any doubt about our willingness to include content around that particular issue we would highlight the inclusion of the film “Budrus” in this years festival which explores it in no uncertain terms.

The offer is still open for you to include in the exhibition the work that was originally selected through the submission process.

Matthew Benetti
Director

HUMAN RIGHTS ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL
Level 6, 225 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 4490 Melbourne VIC 3001

Website: www.hraff.org.au