Why a Newtown art exhibition was forced to shut down just days after opening: ‘Super gross’

An art exhibition depicting graphic sexual acts has been closed down following complaints by angry locals. 

The exhibition called ‘F*** Yeah’ was due to run from October 17 until Tuesday in Newtown in Sydney’s inner west.

The artist called Roleszy had booked the creative space Studio 551.

The artwork depicted nude or partially nude figures with explicit depictions of sexual acts and stylised representation of genitalia.

Several passersby vented their frustration on Facebook after complaining about being able to see the artworks through the windows.

One explained she was a mother and walking home from dinner with her school-aged daughter when she was confronted by the display.

Acting on numerous complaints, NSW Police inspected the art exhibition prompting the artist the take down the works on Sunday.

Daily Mail Australia understands the issue was not with the artworks, but the fact it was visible from the street.

An art exhibition in Newtown in Sydney’s in Sydney ’s inner west was shut down following complaints by locals

The F*** Yeah exhibition depicted nude or partially nude figures with explicit depictions of sexual acts and stylised representation of genitalia

‘On 19 October 2024, following a number complaints from members of the public regarding the display of artwork at a studio on King Street, Newtown, officers from Inner West Police Area Command spoke with the owner of the premises, who erected screens on the windows,’ a spokesman said.

Studio 551 complied with police requests and took immediate action to prevent the artworks being visible from the street.

A Studio 551 spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the venue was often hired out and could be used for anything from a popup store to a place for an exhibition.

‘The relationship with the hirer is purely one of lessor-lessee,’ she said.

‘We do not determine what the hirer does in the space and they have sole responsibility for what is displayed.

‘On Saturday afternoon we received a call from police to say they had received complaints about the work that was on display in the space.

‘We attended the site with the officer in charge and it was determined the work on display could not be seen from the street but that it could remain on display.

‘We took immediate action to block all street-facing windows to ensure the work was not visible from outside of the building.’

The spokeswoman said the artist was notified of Studio 551’s actions. 

The artist chose to shut down the exhibition after police attended

‘He then contacted the police and after that discussion decided to remove the work completely,’ she said.

‘The work was completely removed from the space on Sunday morning. This was all carried out in a very amenable fashion and resolved very quickly.

‘We will be taking measures to ensure something like this never occurs again.’

Social media users were mixed with some defending the exhibition.

‘I grew up in Newtown and from a young age it was always going to be somewhere you could just be yourself and no one gave a **** but unfortunately it isn’t anymore,’ one wrote. 

‘I glanced in the other night and I will admit that my eyebrows went up when I saw the content – huge canvases of not only sex, but kinky/BDSM centered sex including choking,’ another added.

‘I thought to myself “well it’s Newtown!” and carried on my way…. it’s pretty intense stuff especially a kid/ even young teen to be glancing in and seeing as well.’

One mother said she had been walking back from dinner with her daughter.

‘I asked my daughter how she felt about the imagery and she said, a little abusive to be honest,’ she wrote. 

‘I would like to think myself progressive, but why do I feel like these images are an attack on me and the women who have to see it without seeking it?

‘And what are they trying to say with this imagery? They aren’t exactly depicted like the statue of David if you feel me.’ 

Another labelled the exhibition ‘super gross’.

‘It is violent, graphic and foul,’ she wrote.

‘It’s super heteronormative and objectifies the women who are the subjects.’ 

Daily Mail Australia contacted Roleszy for comment.