continued from p.1 It also removed a smaller version from library's rear entrance. "It's never our intention to cause any upset or concern and when we heard the image had done that, we decided to take it down. We apologize for any offence we may have caused," said Matthew Hyland, Oakville Galleries' director. Resident John Kay emailed Ward 3 Councillor Dave Gittings Nov. 29 asking what approval process was followed regarding the promotional ad. Kay told the Oakville Beaver Monday, he first saw the poster advertising The Illuminations Project by Shary Boyle and Emily Vey Duke Saturday while on a walk with his wife. "I was just shocked... I looked up and thought, `Am I seeing what I'm seeing? That's bestiality. I thought, I actually need to do something about this," he said. "The fact that this was a promotional poster outside the library, that kids could see it if they were taking a look... that's what concerned me." Boyle told the Beaver she did not feel this was a freedom of expression issue she needed to protest. "If a member of the public is uncomfortable with a sexual image in a Poster depicts where `humans and animals are frolicking' hibition very well -- an other world where humans can explore the freedoms and dangers of the wild, free from contemporary life." Hyland noted while the image was "indeed suggestive, it was never our intention for it to cause any upset." He said neither Oakville Galleries nor the Oakville Public Library had received any complaints regarding the promotional poster for the exhibit. Upon learning of the complaint, Hyland said the poster in the groundfloor stairwell of Central Branch library, leading to the parking lot, would be replaced. The larger billboard Kay spotted at the front of the 120 Navy St. library was removed Tuesday. Kay said he was happy to hear of the quick action, but said he would pursue the matter with the Town. "I want to know how it came about and what I might do as a citizen to encourage a little more diligence with the approval process," he said. Upon reflection, however, Kay said he became increasingly concerned over the content of the artwork, after reading a review of the exhibit. So much so, he contacted Halton police Tuesday morning. Officers investigated and attended the exhibit Tuesday afternoon. Halton police spokesperson Sgt. Chantal Corner later confirmed the case was deemed to involve "a point of artistic merit," and no charges were warranted; however, the promotional ad at the front of the library building was to be taken down, and a disclaimer for the exhibit was warranted. The Illuminations Project is on at the Oakville Galleries' Centennial Square (top floor of Central Branch Library) until Jan. 4, 2015. On display for the first time since its completion, the exhibit is the result of a 10-year collaborative between Boyle and Vey Duke where the pair undertook a call-and-answer exchange. Vey Duke would send a text to Boyle who would then produce a drawing in reply. She would keep that initial drawing, produce a second and send that back to Vey Duke, who then would write two texts, keeping one and sending the other. The process continued through 31 exchanges. The project loosely charts the journey of a character named Bloodie, a young girl who travels across fantastical lands populated by all manner of creatures -- human, animal and otherwise -- including fellow traveller Peg-Leg and his gang of Wild Boys. 5 | Thursday, December 4, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com This ad at the Navy Street entrance to the Oakville Public Library promoting a current exhibit at Oakville Galleries' shared Centennial gallery space was removed after a resident complained about the appropriateness of its content in a public place. | photo by Graham Paine Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) common area, I support their voicing it and am happy to exchange the image with something less provocative," she stated in an email. "I believe the public has a right to express their boundaries, and I enjoy engaging in that conversation and finding a creative compromise. "This is not censorship -- my artwork is freely exhibited upstairs at the Oakville Gallery and anyone is invited to view The Illuminations Project in the safe and welcome space of the gallery." Hyland said Oakville Galleries staff approves the promotional material for its exhibits. "The drawing in question is culled from a larger body of work on a fantastical narrative. It's dream-like in nature. It shows a lagoon where humans and animals are frolicking together in the buff," he said. "We did have a discussion, as a staff, about it being used as an image; it was used in promotional materials as it captures the essence of the ex- Pool table clearance sale!!! hardwood tables A fusion of JApAnese & Chinese Cuisine in the heArt of oAkville! 4' X 8' HARDWOOD SLATE POOL TABLE Reg. $2999 Floor Model $ *FLOOR MODELS *ScRATcH & DENTS *ONE OF A KIND* All priced to cleAr BARS 1499 ORDER THE AUGUST 8 "BIG BOAT" fOR yOUR HOliDAy PARTy! 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