Probe into Madonna photo complaint

7:31pm Tuesday 14th October 2008

Police are investigating after a passer-by complained of being offended by a photograph of pop star Madonna hanging in an art gallery.

Officers said they received a complaint about the photograph which shows Madonna posing on a cross and wearing a crown of thorns.

It was being displayed at the St Giles Street Gallery in Norwich as part of a feature on the work of celebrity photographer Dave Hogan.

"We are currently in the process of establishing the facts," said a Norfolk Police spokesman.

"In such circumstances we would always try and reach a solution which both upholds the principles of freedom of artistic expression and also prevent any offence being caused."

Last year police launched a similar investigation after the gallery displayed a bronze statue of Buddha next to an arrangement of a banana and two eggs.

Gallery staff agreed to turn the statue inwards so that the banana and eggs could not be seen by passers-by.

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