Anti child abuse activists have forced reclusive American artist R. Crumb to pull out of a graphic arts festival in Sydney, Australia, which is due to take place later this month.
Iain Shedden of The Australian newspaper reports that Crumb was to be the “main attraction” at the festival, however, after a separate Sydney newspaper called the artist a “self-confessed sex pervert” and a “very warped human being,” the artist made the decision to withdraw.
On July 31, the Sydney-based Sunday Telegraph newspaper featured the headline, “Cult Genius or Filthy Weirdo” and anti-child abuse campaigner Hetty Johnston referred to Crumb’s work as “crude and perverted images emanating from what is clearly a sick mind.”
Crumb is known for his sexually explicit illustrations, some which include scenes of bestiality and rape.
“It was strong stuff and it made me look very, very bad,” Crumb said.
“All it takes is a few people who overreact to something like that to show up and cause unpleasantness. I have a lot of anxiety about having to confront some angry sexual assault crisis group. I do these crazy cartoons. I have no defense. I just have to throw up my hands.”
Festival co-curator Jordan Verzar has since asked Crumb to reconsider his decision.
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