Andrej Dúbravský's painting (no.5 from left) was exhibited in the Slovak Public Radio building in October and November of this year. The exhibition was called Ne(s)pútaní. (source: RTVS)
Two kissing men portrayed in a painting by Slovak artist Andrej Dúbravský has outraged Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová.
Nominated for the post by the Slovak National Party, Šimkovičová regularly appears on TV Slovan. This is a disinformation online television channel where she presents her anti-LGBT+ and anti-immigration views, among others. She criticised Dúbravský’s painting on TV Slovan earlier this week.
The painting has been on display in the Slovak Public Radio building in Bratislava.
The minister added that a lot of people reportedly contacted her about similar issues. She announced new legislation and expressed discontent over the lack of powers that she as minister possesses to deal with such matters.
Dúbravský told the Nový Čas tabloid that he feels distressed by what the minister had said.
The project manager of the Slovak Public Radio Art Gallery and the curator of the exhibition, Ivan Jančár, would consider it unfortunate if someone takes away their artistic freedom and imposes what they can and cannot do. He stressed that the painting in question is not pornographic, but he admitted that some people may be bothered by the fact that there is a homosexual couple portrayed in it.
The exhibition that featured the somewhat controversial painting has ended.
Recently, some viewers turned to the Advertising Self-Regulating Organisation (RPR) to complain about a Christmas commercial released by Slovak Telekom. They argued that the commercial promotes homosexuality, attacking traditional families and Christian values.
The regulator dismissed the complaints.
