Seized 'child art porn' owned by Elton John

A controversial photograph by an American artist - part of Elton John's private collection - has been seized by police from a gallery on suspicion it may have breached child pornography laws. Elton John EPA/TOMS KALNINS

Elton John EPA/TOMS KALNINSThe Telegraph reports that the photo of two young girls one of whom was sitting down with her legs splayed wide apart, was taken by photographer Nan Goldin.

Nan Goldin

The photo in question was to be exhibited at the Baltic Modern Art gallery, Tyneside, this week along with Goldin's other work. The Telegraph writes that the day before it was viewed by the public, police came and removed it for fear it was breaking the law.The Telegraph alleges an assistant director at the gallery called it in to the authorities last Thursday.The Crown Prosecution Service is said to be examining the picture.Peter Doroschenko, the director of the gallery, said to the Telegraph: "I'm afraid I can't comment on this."Claire Byers, the communications director, also added: "The police are involved in this incident and we are fully cooperating with their inquiries. That is all I can say on this at the moment."The Telegraph noted the Northumbria Police with the CPS is also investigating the circumstances surrounding it. Thanksgiving is described by the Baltic as an installation of photographs which documents Goldin's life from 1973 to 1999 - "a micro-retrospective of her career."The photo features a very young naked girl looking up between the open legs of a semi-clothed older child, and had been criticized for exploiting children. It was published in a book alongside similar works to accompany an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in north London.Goldin, according to her biography, ran away from home and was fostered by several families during her childhood. She moved to New York after graduating from art school where she took became known for pictures of drunks, addicts and disenfranchised people.A rehab stint in the 1990s has also influenced her art.The Telegraph cites Elton John as an "admirer of her work" and is also "a close friend." He was not available for comment to the Telegraph.