Solenn Heussaff apologizes for ‘poverty porn’ art photo: ‘It wasn't my intention to hurt or offend anyone’
Solenn Heussaff deleted and apologized for the photo she posted on social media that was part of her promotion for an upcoming art exhibit.
This is after the actress-artist was criticized online for the said photos, which some netizens tagged as “poverty porn.”
In a social media post on Thursday, March 4, the actress-artist said she appreciated the encouragement she received over the photos. However, she also wanted to apologize “to those I have hurt.”
The photo, which became viral on Wednesday, March 3, featured Solenn with her custom rugs and a painting of leaves and plants behind her. Solenn can be seen in the photo sitting on a large wooden chair.
The backdrop of the photo appeared to be one of Metro Manila’s impoverished urban communities. It was meant to promote her upcoming solo art exhibit later this month.
A number of her followers commented on the post that the photo was “done in poor taste” and was using poverty to promote her art.
Solenn initially defended the photo, saying it was “not poverty porn” and that she would have also been criticized had her backdrop been a high-end commercial hub.
However, in her March 4 apology, Solenn has been “thinking a lot about the comments you guys left on the photo I posted.”
She also deleted the controversial photo from her social media accounts.
She added, “I know it sparked some debate and there were both good and bad takes on it. While I appreciate the encouragement some shared, I also want to apologize to those I have hurt.”
Solenn further explained: “Wanted to shoot it in a typical street, those we drive by every day. Streets full of life, since all my paintings are about the people we see. Not the rich or the poor but people for who they are. Humanity. The choice of painting was to show the environmental side. The abundance and balance of what life was, but also growth and hope. Though yes, art is subjective, and your thoughts made me more sensitive to different perspectives on my art and this really was a learning experience for me.”
Solenn reiterated that she had no intention to hurt or offend anyone: “It was my hope that I could lend my voice and my art to show the reality of Filipinos. This is the heart and inspiration of all my paintings, both old and new. I did not want to romanticize the poverty of the everyday Pinoy or the resiliency that we naturally have. I really hoped to honor our people by being truthful about the kind of life a lot of Filipinos live today and to show that Filipinos deserve better.”
“Thank you for letting this be an eye-opener for me as well. And to those that I have offended, I am sorry.”
Solenn is more known as an actress and a celebrity but has been dabbling in painting even before entering show business.
Photos from Instagram/Solenn Heussaff