A wedding venue and luxury retreat in New South Wales has come under fire after a photo revealed a painting depicting an Indigenous massacre in Brazil was on display.
The venue, Redleaf Wollombi in Hunter Valley apologised on social media after the initial criticism but has since deleted their apology from their various social media platforms.
The painting, Views of Brazil by Jean-Julien Deltil, depicts a violent episode from the Portuguese colonisation of Brazil.
The painting has been on display and used as a backdrop for several wedding photo shoots which had been previously posted on the venue's social media accounts.
It first came under fire on Sunday when Aboriginal business Dreamtime Aroha posted a screenshot of a bridal party posing in front of the painting, to their Instagram.
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A post shared by Dreamtime Aroha [-0-] 🖤💛❤️ Jarjum Dolls (@dreamtime_aroha)
The post which now has over 2000 likes, has Instagram users commenting and questioning how the venue and guests did not realise the painting's negative connotations.
"How the hell is this being walked past and given the okay on the daily in this day and age?" one user wrote.
Many users also commented saying they had planned to write to the venue and ask them the painting down.
The venue has since deleted any posts of the painting from their social media and issued a statement apologising.
"We are deeply sorry that we have caused offence in relation to paintings on display at Redleaf," they said in a statement.
"We never intended to upset anybody and we have now removed the paintings.
"Those who have stayed at Redleaf are aware that there are many artworks throughout the property, including art by First Nations artists, as well as emerging artists."
The venue also asked for any backlash against the wedding party or guests to stop.
The statement which was also posted on their social media, has since been deleted and comments have been turned off.
'Wollombi' is an Aboriginal term meaning 'meeting place of the waters' or 'meeting place'.
NRL player James Tedesco married his now wife Maria Glinellis in a lavish ceremony at Redleaf Wollombi over the weekend.
