Renowned Australian artist Anthony Lister has appeared in a Sydney court over allegations he sexually assaulted four women and tattooed one without her consent.

Key points: Street artist Anthony Lister's lawyer said he will defend most of the charges

Street artist Anthony Lister's lawyer said he will defend most of the charges Three of the alleged victims were art students at the time

Three of the alleged victims were art students at the time Police found replica pistols, knuckle dusters and drugs in his home

Lister, 40, was arrested on Tuesday morning after police raided his inner-city Darlinghurst home and an industrial space at Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west.

He is accused of sexually assaulting four women on separate occasions between 2015 and 2018.

Three of the complainants were art students, NSW Police said, and Mr Lister allegedly tattooed three lines on one of the women without her consent.

Lister appeared in Sydney's Central Local Court via video link from Surry Hills Police Station.

Magistrate Robert Williams adjourned the matter until May 7 and Lister's lawyer Joe Blackshield of Levitt Robinson flagged a possible release application next week.

Outside court, Mr Blackshield said he was yet to speak to Lister.

"I believe at this stage the plan is to defend most of the charges," he said.

Street artist Anthony Lister is known for his bold and provocative street art. ( Supplied )

Surry Hills Police Commander, Superintendent Tim Beattie, said the complainants were aged 18 and 19 at the time and alleged there were elements of grooming.

"That's part of the allegation and that will come out, we will allege, through the court process," he said.

"What we do know is we believe he has engaged these people through social circles in parts of the community."

A later statement from another of Lister's lawyers, Stewart Levitt, described the case as an "important criminal test case on the responsibilities of men and women in sexual encounters to themselves and to each other".

"Mr Lister has told me that he is distressed and hurt by the charges and emphatically denies that he has ever taken wrongful advantage of anyone in a sexual context.

Lister appeared in Sydney's Central Local Court via video link from Surry Hills Police Station. ( Supplied: NSW Police )

"From what I have seen, we're getting close to the stage in criminal justice where consensual sex itself may be treated as a crime.

"Where substance abuse may be involved, the question is: Who is responsible for whom?"

Mr Levitt said there is no plan to plead guilty to any of Lister's charges, which include causing grievous bodily harm with intent, five counts of sexual intercourse without consent and using an intoxicating substance to commit an indictable offence.

One of the alleged assaults is understood to have happened at a function in Redfern, while others allegedly took place at Lister's home.

The industrial space at Marrickville that was raided by police. ( ABC News: Jamie McKinnell )

During the searches, police seized four replica pistols, knuckle dusters and drugs including cocaine, MDMA and cannabis.

Computers, mobile phones and SD cards were also seized.

Lister's art exhibition at Wollongong City Council has been closed following the charges and associated events have been cancelled.

"Wollongong City Council is aware artist Anthony Lister was arrested by NSW Police and that court proceedings are underway.

"We are following the matter closely. Council will continue to monitor the matter."

Lister's lawyer Mr Levitt described council's response as "similar to the Woody Allen memoirs boycott. There have been no findings, only accusations".



"Ned Kelly has been culturally revered yet he was convicted and hanged for killing police," Mr Levitt added.

Lister was born in Brisbane and has become one of the country's most internationally-recognised painters, once included in a list of the 50 most influential street artists of all time.

The father-of-three has described his work as "bold, at times violent, definitely direct and intentional".

His work has been collected by the likes of Hugh Jackman, Pink and Pharrell Williams.