A mother-of-three young children was left grappling for answers after an innocent trip to Armagh County Museum turned unexpectedly racy!
The woman – who wished to remain anonymous – said she frequently attends the museum, which she couldn’t otherwise speak highly enough, to partake in activities with her children, all aged under nine.
However, when they made a trip to the local treasure at the end of the Easter holidays, she was shocked to discover an “unsavoury” and “perverted” exhibition that included a photo of an older gentleman dressed in provocative women’s clothing laying rather suggestively on a bed.
Speaking to Armagh I, the red-faced mum said: “It was of a man lying on a bed, legs open and wearing some sort of kinky underwear, red see-through material and black latex lining with laces up the middle.
“These images should be for adults only and not exposed to innocent children’s eyes.”
Despite this, the woman said she is far from being prudish and would be “very open-minded” with “no judgement”.
However, when it comes to having her young children exposed to these images without warning, she is defensive.
“My seven-year-old daughter actually said ‘Mummy, what on earth is that?'” she continued.
“I was horrified to be honest. My eight-year-old son gasped in shock. Thankfully my four-year-old daughter did not see it, I ushered her out of the room before she could see.
“Let our children be children for the short time they are, they shouldn’t be exposed to this whatsoever.”
She said that at no stage did a member of staff warn them of the content of the exhibition, known as ‘Perceptions’, nor where there any warning signs or disclaimers.
The installation – by Alistair Prentice and Emanueal Mae Agrini – is a mixture of photography and illustration… the culmination of what happens when two people look at the “same person, at the same moment” and try to capture what they see.
While not of all the content in Perceptions could be deemed by the mum as questionable, there were a number of images that caused her concern.
Again reinforcing how much the Armagh native enjoys the museum, she said: “I really love taking my kids there and generally I could not fault them.
“I would have just appreciated being told so that I could have made an informed choice for my children”.
ABC Council has now confirmed that action has been taken as a result.
A spokesperson for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said: “We are committed to ensuring that Armagh County Museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space, providing a positive experience for all visitors.
“Following concerns raised about some images featured in the current ‘Perceptions’ exhibition, an advisory notice has been placed at the entrance allowing visitors to make an informed choice about viewing material which they deem appropriate.”
The exhibition is expected to end on May 5.
