Feathers are flying at Modern Art Oxford over a new exhibit featuring a pair of live peacocks in a large gilded cage.
Some visitors to the Pembroke Street gallery have complained about birds being caged for the sake of art.
The peacocks feature in the Need for Uncertainty exhibition, by Romanian artist Mircea Cantor. But a number of visitors have complained that the gilded cage was tarnishing the gallery's reputation.
Lydia Heade, one of about 50 visitors to raise concerns, said: "Since when is animal cruelty art?"
Gallery director Andrew Nairne said the RSPCA had seen the exhibit and raised no objections.
He added: "We have been extremely responsible. We checked with everyone we needed to in order to ensure the birds' welfare.
"The birds are two years old and come from a peacock farm in Norfolk. They are not wild."
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