Mohsin Shaikh8217;s show opens peacefully

AHMEDABAD, Nov 22: Policemen stood guard at Ravishankar Raval Kala Bhavan where painter Mohsin Shaikh is exhibiting his works, some of which...

AHMEDABAD, Nov 22: Policemen stood guard at Ravishankar Raval Kala Bhavan where painter Mohsin Shaikh is exhibiting his works, some of which depict the artist8217;s version of the Clinton-Lewinsky affair in graphic detail. Some other artists say the paintings are pornographic, and have complained to the police.

Fearing trouble, Shaikh had sought police protection for the week-long exhibition that began on Sunday. Besides the protesters, several visitors thronged the art gallery. But there was no trouble.

8220;The police arrangement had to be made keeping in view a protest letter a section of artists had handed over to us on Sunday, demanding withdrawal of paintings,8221; inspector M.N. Mali of Ellis Bridge police station said.

Mali said when he asked Shaikh the purpose of putting the paintings on exhibit, Shaikh had said it was in the national cause in protest against US sanctions.

Painter Apurva Desai, who with some friends is protesting against the exhibition, said, 8220;The paintings are worse than blue films.8221; Desai said there was another painting exhibition for children at the Bhavan and that they may wander into Shaikh8217;s exhibition.

Artist Kishoresinh Rathore said he and other artists would file an FIR.Shaikh, on the other hand, flayed his detractors. 8220;These are works of art. They his critics are jealous of the publicity I have got8221;.

Justifying his paintings, he said: 8220;If Clinton can impose sanctions on India and can blacklist 200 of the Indian companies merely because we carried nuclear tests, I also have the right to expose Clinton8217;s misdeeds through my paintings8221;.

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Shaikh said none of his critics had raised an eyebrow when he made paintings of the Pokharan blast and presented them to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

8220;I fail to understand why they are creating so much fuss now when I have created something which again goes on to support the national cause,8221; Shaikh said.

Whatever comes of the controversy, the paintings seem to be in demand. Shaikh claims some Germans were willing to purchase all the 11 Clinton-Lewinsky works for Rs 55 lakh.