A Wollongong Art Gallery exhibition has been cancelled following the arrest of the artist behind it over allegations sexually assaulted multiple woman, including tattooing one without her consent.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Street artist, Anthony Lister was refused bail at Central Local Court on Wednesday after being arrested on Tuesday at his Darlinghurst home, where police allege he sexually assaulted four women on separate occasions between 2015 and 2018.
It is further alleged Lister tattooed three lines on one of the women without her consent.
Three of the women were art students.
Lister's exhibition was officially opened on Friday evening at the Wollongong Art Gallery and was scheduled to run until May 17.
However, following the artist being charged, Wollongong City Council has shut down his exhibition and associated events.
"Wollongong City Council is aware artist Anthony Lister was arrested by NSW Police and that court proceedings are underway," a council spokeswoman said.
"This morning we have closed his exhibition.
"We are following the matter closely."
Several events had been scheduled to go ahead as part of the exhibition, including a "Junior Art Trail" this Friday.
Mr Lister was also set to deliver a stencil and collage workshop in May as well as deliver a talk on his "creative process, stories from his childhood, comic books and what it is that fascinates him about Mythology in the current social climate".
The art gallery's webpage promoting the exhibition has been taken down.
It did promote the exhibition, which started on February 29, as "capturing the spirit of the immortal Heroes and Villains from ancient myth and legend, and giving them a sheen oozing with pop-culture references and contemporary street smart cred."
"Artist Anthony Lister presents a visually wet exhibition dripping and hyped-up on neon flavoured cereal, as Saturday morning cartoons scream out about a confused moral fortitude," the promotional material said.
"These paintings were made during the ad break. There is a sticker upon the television that reads; 'This is a sometimes thing'."
On Tuesday, police carried out two search warrants at Lister's home and industrial space in Marrickville.
During the searches, police seized four replica pistols, knuckle dusters, prohibited drugs, including methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, and cannabis oil; computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, SD cards, and other electronic equipment.
Lister was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
He was charged with with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent, five counts of sexual intercourse without consent and use intoxicating substance to commit indictable offence.
Lister was also charged with four counts of possessing prohibited firearm, seven counts of possessing prohibited drug, and possessing prohibited weapon.
He is due back in court on May 7, however could be back in sooner to apply for bail.
