Greg James: Fremantle artist has bronze statue rejected from Sculpture by Bathers 2025 because it’s ‘too racy’

A Fremantle artist has had his bronze statue rejected from a sculpture event after it was deemed too racy for the family-friendly show.

Sculpture by Bathers will run until April, transforming the Fremantle coastline into an open-air gallery that organisers boast will highlight “bold installations, intricate sculptures and thought-provoking pieces”.

However, Greg James has been told his $66,000 nude sculpture of Gaia the Greek goddess was not accepted to take part in the event due to concerns over public nudity.

The well-known sculptor said he was not angry about the decision, but that he didn’t understand it.

He said his sculpture was about celebrating mother earth and raising awareness on how we treat our environment but instead has become a conversation around nudity.

“Personally I don’t get that, I mean we’re all nude at some point,” he said.

“I was quite surprised and bemused because my partner takes our little dog for a walk up Bathers Beach every morning and there is always an abundance of little bottoms with g-strings.”

James said the rejection had started an interesting conversation about public nudity.

“Is this a problem for people or is this just life?” he said.

“For me and this world and the stuff that’s going on in the world … I think we’ve got worse things to worry about.”

The news has outraged James’ supporters, who have been vocal about the decision on social media.

He said although people would not get to see his art on the beach this year, they were welcome to view the nude sculpture at this Fremantle studio.

“I am humbled by it, I am really honoured that people have stepped up and said what they think. They like the work and they are surprised that it is not in,” he said.

“At the same time, I don’t want that to influence people on whether they are going to look at Sculptures at Bathers, it’s a great exhibition . . . I just won’t be in it on the beach this year, but I’m not far away.

“I want to see this exhibition, the Sculptures at Bathers get bigger and better, and go forward, I don’t want it to get lost in petty disagreements.”

The exhibition will run from April 4 to 21 at Bathers Beach.