The sponsor of the annual $10,000 National Contemporary Award for art says it will not buy this year's winning entry - a painting of a vagina - because it would not be an "appropriate way to spend community funds".
Trust Waikato has first option to buy the winning artwork.
But chairman NeilClarke said he did not think it would be a good idea for a community trust organisation to spend $8500 on Auckland artist Rohan Wealleans' abstract of a large, bright yellow vagina, hanging at Waikato Museum of Art and History.
"There is no reason but the obvious ... I think the trust has got to be really selective and sensitive," Mr Clarke said.
Last year, after trust art consultant Stuart Stubbs bought the winning sculpture featuring crates of home brew, the trust had resolved that future delegation of art works should be given to Mr Clarke in consultation with Mr Stubbs.
