The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in Dublin has reaffirmed its commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices by confirming it will re-screen the acclaimed late UK gay artist Derek Jarman’s film The Angelic Conversation. This decision follows recent controversy surrounding the film’s outdoor screening, which the museum clarifies was misinterpreted as censorship rather than a procedural pause for clarification.
Earlier this month, IMMA faced public scrutiny after a complaint was lodged against the exhibition of Jarman’s 1985 film as part of the Living Canvas programme. The film, recognised for its poetic portrayal of love and sexuality, features close-up footage of two men kissing and is structured around readings of Shakespeare’s sonnets by Dame Judi Dench. The scene that sparked concern involved topless adults kissing – mouths closed! – leading to a series of internal and external reviews.
According to documents obtained through freedom of information laws by The Sunday Times, the complainant, a parent, expressed unease about the film being displayed on an outdoor screen within the museum’s grounds. The parent stated, ‘Your outdoor screen is displaying close-up footage of topless adults kissing intimately. My five-year-old daughter walks in this space.’ Oh no! Someone send for a child trauma expert! In response, Mary Cremin, IMMA’s Head of Programming, assured that the museum would review the matter with ‘consideration for all visitors,’ noting that the film was rated PG (parental guidance).
The screening’s review process involved consulting the Irish Film Classification Office and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, which offered the museum advisory ratings at no charge, aligning with standard practices for public arts programming.
In an official statement published on 18 July via Instagram, IMMA clarified its stance, emphasising that the institution did not intend to censor Jarman’s work. ‘It was dismayed at the current supposition that we would actively censor the work of Derek Jarman,’ the museum stated, describing recent media reports as ‘misconstrued in a rush to judgment’. The museum explained that the temporary pause was solely to ensure compliance with relevant screening and planning legislation, especially when presenting PG-rated films in public spaces.
IMMA reaffirmed its dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ artists, citing recent exhibitions honouring figures such as British-Pakistani artist Hamad Butt and Irish painter Patrick Hennessy. The institution underscored its inclusive approach, assuring the public that once clarity was attained, it would proceed with the planned re-screening of The Angelic Conversation.
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