MORE than 60 pieces of artwork of nude or partially-clothed women are on display at a Suffolk bar - including a controversial photograph of a young woman.

MORE than 60 pieces of artwork of nude or partially-clothed women are on display at a Suffolk bar - including a controversial photograph of a young woman.

Art focusing on the female form is on show at Danny's Bar in Sudbury to raise money for a special school in the town, but concerns have been raised from those who have viewed a photograph of a young woman in a bath.

However, Tony Jackson, artist and organiser of the exhibition, insisted his critics had no cause for concern.

“This one photograph is of a very beautiful girl in a bath full of bubbles,” he said.

“She looks very young, but she is 23 years old - despite looking 15. We did talk about taking it down but I said it is art - it is not rude or erotic.”

The Allure of Women exhibition is being held to raise money for a hydrotherapy pool for the Hillside Special School, part of a fund set up by owner of the bar David Thompson.

Paintings, drawings and photographs are on display by local artists Mr Jackson, Susuan Lui, John Garbett, Jaquie Jones, John Stevens, Sarah Hyde and David Porteous-Butler.

Mr Jackson, who was in commercial art for more than 30 years before moving to Suffolk, said: “I'm very excited about the exhibition; it is about the beauty of women.

“Almost all of my figures are partially-clothed but some of the other works are nudes - my work is also very realistic while some of the others are very artistic. There is nothing erotic about any of the work.

“The bar is a terrific setting as well - it's very modern and very slick.”

All seven artists have agreed to donate 1% of the proceeds of any sales to Hillside School.

Mr Jackson added: “The fund has already raised £280,000 but they need another £80,000 and my colleagues and I hope to make a significant contribution.”

Future exhibitions are being planned by Mr Jackson and Mr Thompson at the Gainsborough Street bar, which has two floors with a large amount of wall-space for hanging artwork and is not open to children.

lorraine.price@eadt.co.uk