Anger over 'perverse' suicide art exhibition

An artist behind an exhibition called 'Suicide is Sexy' was tonight warned his work was perverse.

An artist behind an exhibition called 'Suicide is Sexy' was tonight warned his work was perverse.

Dan Neville, President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, said works by artist Darryn Lee were dangerous. "The exhibition featuring two poses of suicide by hanging and shooting arranged by artist Darryn Lee is extremely dangerous and may have a serious effect on people in crisis, contemplating suicide," Mr Neville, a Fine Gael TD, said.

Socialite Gavin Lambe-Murphy, posed with a shotgun in his mouth, and Sonia Macari, was photographed with a rope around her neck in Dublin for Mr Lee's work.

The artist plans to create two paintings from the photographs taken and put these on public display as part of an exhibition called 'Suicide is Sexy'.

READ MORE

Mr Neville said: "The stated aim of the artist to encourage people to 'joke' about suicide is perverse. Suicide, the despair and hopelessness experienced by the victim and the trauma of relatives and friends must be treated in a sensitive and honest fashion. If an artist views suicide as being a taboo subject and wants to help change that he must do so in a responsible fashion."

Figures show around 445 Irish people died by suicide during 2005. Mr Neville said suicide by imitation has been recognised by health experts.

"The concern is that certain types of representation of suicide can be a catalyst for suicide. In my view the depiction by Mr Lee of two young attractive people in the act of taking their life falls into this category," he said.

"I am concerned that the artist intends to create two paintings of the poses in the style of the cover of men's magazines and put these on public display. I only can entreat that the effect of this on the basis of long and much international research into this area be considered."

PA