AN angry artist decided to get her own back when three nude paintings were rejected for an exhibition, by displaying them on the village green.

Barbara Gardner was so angry after she was told the work was not required that she displayed her pictures on the green at Bainbridge, near Hawes, North Yorkshire, in protest.

The three paintings, of herself, her grown-up daughter and her daughter's adult friend, were rejected by the Richmondshire Arts and Crafts Guild, ahead of its inaugural exhibition at the Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes.

Mrs Gardner, 57, believes the nudes were dismissed because of content rather than quality.

She said: "I got a phone call on my answer machine on the day of the hanging saying 'Barbara, these paintings don't work for us, bring in four landscapes'.

"While I am very supportive of the guild, my initial response was that they were being prudish.

"I am not saying these are wonderful paintings and I am not saying they are better than other people's work, but these paintings were not rejected because they were a poor standard."

Coachloads of tourists stopped to view the paintings while they were displayed on the green over the weekend.

Mrs Gardner, 57, who has been painting for nine years after she gave up her career as a carer, said: "The response from the public was very positive. People could not understand what all the fuss was about."

Liz Hawkes, project co-ordinator for the guild, defended the decision not to exhibit the paintings.

She said: "A sub-committee was appointed to oversee the hanging of the exhibition, and in accordance with the guild's constitution, this sub-committee reserves the right to reject work by members if it is not of sufficient standard or is inappropriate for the chosen exhibition space.

"Whilst we cannot comment on individual reasons, we can confirm that three paintings by one of our members were not accepted this year.

"The artist concerned was invited to submit alternative works, which were accepted."

The newly formed guild was set up to promote art and craftspeople from Richmondshire. The exhibition runs until August 18.

Published: 10/08/2004