Controversial art photographer Bill Henson has hit out at authorities who attempt to stifle artistic freedom, two years after he was vilified as a child pornographer for his use of underage models in an exhibition.

The critically acclaimed artist, who has represented Australia at the Venice Biennale and has work in the Guggenheim Collection in New York, said art always pushed boundaries and it was the job of Australia’s politicians to make it available to the masses.

Photographer Bill Henson. Credit:Helen Nezdropa

"Democracy, for heaven’s sakes, is there to make the experience of art available potentially to the greatest possible number," he said tonight in the Melbourne Art Foundation 2010 Lecture at Federation Square.

"The duty of our politicians when it comes to art is not to deny the distinctiveness of art, still less to scapegoat and demonise the artist ... but to make art available to every member of society regardless of how well-off they are or where they went to school.