Arts News
Student attracts police attention with tampon and condom art
By DPA
Apr 3, 2008, 15:06 GMT

London - A student artist was threatened with arrest after he displayed his artwork which included unsealed tampons and home- made condoms in the southern British town of Gosport, British media reported.

Nicolas Arriola, a student of fine art at St Vincent College, Gosport, Hampshire, southern England, set up a mock market stall in the town centre, offering the items for sale.

The theme of his artwork, which included improvised breast implants and condoms made of cellophane, was to highlight how everyday products are sold and how they appear out of context, the reports said.

The 17-year-old said he was forced to take down his display when he was threatened with arrest by a police officer who responded to complaints by members of the public.

'It was to explore what is felt by having products in an unhygienic tacky context,' explained the student artist.

St Vincent College's head of art, Neil Pavey, said: 'I actually think the police intervention added to the project. It accentuated the value of the installation in terms of shock in the public arena.'