Juan Davila's incorporation of pornographic imagery, political references and art historical citations created a volatile mix of confrontational images and text which most famously lead to the censorship of Stupid as a Painter by the AGNSW, the 'arrest' of the painting by the vice squad and the subsequent intervention of the NSW premier Neville Wran in order to return the work to public exhibition. —AGNSW

Exhibition Dates: 7 April – 10 May 1982


Juan Davila Stupid As A Painter, 1981; acrylic and collage on photographic mural; 213 x 772 cm; enquire
Stupid As A Painter, 1981
acrylic and collage on photographic mural
213 x 772 cm
Juan Davila Stupid As A Painter (detail), 1981; acrylic and collage on photographic mural; 213 x 772 cm; enquire
Stupid As A Painter (detail), 1981
acrylic and collage on photographic mural
213 x 772 cm
Juan Davila Stupid As A Painter (detail), 1981; acrylic and collage on photographic mural; 213 x 772 cm; enquire
Stupid As A Painter (detail), 1981
acrylic and collage on photographic mural
213 x 772 cm
Juan Davila Stupid As A Painter (detail), 1981; acrylic and collage on photographic mural; 213 x 772 cm; enquire
Stupid As A Painter (detail), 1981
acrylic and collage on photographic mural
213 x 772 cm
Juan Davila Stupid As A Painter (detail), 1981; acrylic and collage on photographic mural; 213 x 772 cm; enquire
Stupid As A Painter (detail), 1981
acrylic and collage on photographic mural
213 x 772 cm