Two paintings at a community-owned art gallery in Co Donegal were removed this week by a member of the board of management who found them obscene.
The paintings by Bernadette Hopkins, which depict abstract female nudes, were part of the River Beneath A River exhibition which has been running at the Tullyarvan Mill in Buncrana for more than three weeks.
On Wednesday night, two of the largest paintings were taken down without the consent of the artist or exhibition organisers by Tullyarvan Mill committee chairman Mr Brian Flanagan.
"I removed the canvases from display and faced them into the wall for the following reasons: I considered that they were ugly and symbolised if anything a strong disregard for concerns of modesty. As such, they would damage the mill's reputation as an instrument and catalyst of community development. They would have to be viewed several times per week by many young children who attend music and dance classes at the mill."
Belfast-born Ms Hopkins, who lives in Ramelton, Co Donegal, and works part-time as a nurse in Dublin, said yesterday she was "shocked and upset" that Mr Flanagan had interfered with her work.
"I am amazed what he said about my paintings because the exhibition has been up for more than three weeks. So far, I've only had good feedback from women who say they really understand what it's about."
She also expressed her annoyance at the way her paintings were removed as she feared they could have been damaged.
Mr Flanagan said as committee chairman he would be held at least partially responsible for such a display. "In fact the mill - as well as the organisers - could conceivably be sued by parents under the Obscene Publications Act."
Tullyarvan Mill project manager Mr Declan Coughlan, also a member of the board of management, contacted yesterday about the incident, said he did not want to comment.
A member of the Crana Artists' Network, with the help of colleagues, put the paintings back on the wall on Thursday. She was "upset and embarrassed" by what happened, adding that nudes could be seen in many major galleries, including the National Gallery in Dublin.