CANBERRA Liberals leader Zed Seselja has almost made an artform out of criticising public art.
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But the Opposition Leader showed his cultural credentials at the unveiling of a privately-funded public artwork in Bruce yesterday.
Mr Seselja was on hand to unveil three concrete mice at the Village Building Company's new Bruce residential complex, The Hub.
The sculpted rodents, by Bev Hogg and Elizabeth Paterson, are toting mobile phones and computers and represent the young professionals that will soon call the building home.
But Mr Seselja's presence raised some eyebrows within the ACT Government.
The Opposition Leader has frequently criticised the Government's investment in public artwork.
The irony wasn't lost on the Member for Molonglo yesterday.
''You may have heard my criticisms about the Government's public art, but I want to assure you I'm all for all privately-funded art and commend this Village Building Company initiative which enriches the culture of Canberra,'' Mr Seselja said.
''What I don't agree with, however, is making taxpayers foot the bill for hugely expensive art, rarely commissioned by local artists, which ends up on the side of unfinished roads.
''Today's installation is an example of the great work that can be achieved by commissioning local artists with a local perspective.''
But Arts Minister Joy Burch said Government support enabled the grassroots growth of the arts in the ACT.
''What Mr Seselja fails to recognise is that by cutting funding for the local arts community, artists such as Bev Hogg would not receive the support they need to nurture their talents,'' Ms Burch said.
''So this is the new Liberal Party arts policy - 'I don't know much about art, but I know I like it if someone else signs the cheque.'''
Ms Burch said a Liberal government would end public funding for community arts. The statues are the first in a series of three artworks for Village Building Company's developments. The company started their public art program in 1992, with the intention of softening the hard edges of property development.
Ms Burch said the Government plans to boost private investment in the arts.
''So we welcome Village Building Company investment in this respect.''
