Poland's National Museum has removed an artwork of a woman eating a banana because authorities found it obscene.

The move prompted people to share pictures of themselves with the fruit to mock the decision.

The new head of the Warsaw museum, Jerzy Miziolek, argues that the 1973 video by Natalia LL can be harmful to young people.

The video, which shows the young woman slowly eating the fruit, has an erotic edge, and was removed from the gallery after Mr Miziolek was summoned to the ministry of culture.

Poland, a devoutly Catholic country and the birthplace of the late Pope John Paul II, is run by the ultra-conservative Law and Justice Party.


People, including celebrities and politicians, are sharing posts on Facebook and Twitter, ridiculing the ban as narrow-minded and a case of censorship.

Politician Stanisław Karczewski posted a selfie eating an apple, saying he recommends Polish apples instead of bananas.

Polecam nasze, polskie jabłka. Zdrowsze i mają mnie kalorii niż banany. #BananowyProtest to prosta droga do otyłości ;) #appleselfie #bananaselfie pic.twitter.com/UB0P2rbC4d — Stanisław Karczewski (@StKarczewski) April 29, 2019

Polish film and theatre actress Magdalena Cielecka posted a picture of herself holding a banana up to her head.

Actress Maja Ostaszewska also posted a picture of her hair in rollers holding up two bananas with the caption: "Getting ready to play."

Polish TV personality Kuba Wojewódzki posted a picture of himself eating a banana with the caption: "Art was invented just to disturb borders".

A collective banana-eating protest is planned today in front of the state-run museum.