Bryant painting provokes outrage

Premier Lara Giddings, however, has taken a more moderate view of the award, saying that the evocative painting showcased Sydney artist Rodney Pople's skill.

The painting depicts the Port Arthur convict settlement with Martin Bryant in the foreground, carrying a AK-47 weapon.

The competition's three judges unanimously awarded Pople _ known for a 2010 exhibition where he combined religious images with pornographic photographs _ this year's $35,000 prize.

John Warren investigated some of Tasmania's worst crimes over his police career of more than three decades and was a senior investigator in the Port Arthur massacre.

Now living in Queensland, he said from an artistic point of view, he could see why it was received so well by the panel of judges.

He said he found it bizarre that it was announced as the winning entry considering its context _ an entry in a landscape painting competition.

``In my view, it is insensitive to those who have been left scarred for life as a result of (Bryant's) actions,'' Mr Warren said.

``As one of the lead investigators and having witnessed first-hand what he did, and then having interviewed him at length, I personally find it distasteful.''

But Ms Giddings understood that the painting would stir community emotions as the tragic event occurred just 15 years ago.

``There is obviously a lot of skill with the artist involved, it is a very evocative painting,'' she said.

``I understand the sensitivities around the actual piece of work but I can also understand that from the artist's perspective, he wants to show, in what is a sensitive way, what occurred on that site.''

Liberal Bass MHA Peter Gutwein took aim at the competition's judges.

``What occurred back in 1996 is still very raw and I think many people would be appalled that this painting won the Glover,'' he said.

``With the Glover being presented in Tasmania where that event took place displays an enormous degree of insensitivity on behalf of the judges.''

The Greens declined to make a comment.