Australian police have dropped their obscenity investigation of photographer Bill Henson and an art exhibit featuring his images of naked children.

Police announced on Friday they would not press charges against the internationally renowned artist, saying the decision was prompted by advice from New South Wales director of public prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery, who felt there was no reasonable prospect of conviction.

"It has been profoundly humbling to witness the depth of support for my work in these past weeks," Henson said in a statement.

"It is reassuring to see existing laws, having been rigorously tested, still provide a framework in which debate and expression of ideas can occur."

Complaints prompt photo seizure

Last month, after several complaints were filed about an exhibit of Henson's photos at the Roslyn Oxley9 gallery in Sydney, police investigated and seized about 20 images. Police said Friday that the seized photos will be returned to the gallery.

The action prompted several other galleries to pull the artist's work from display. This week, the country's classification board issued rulings on a number of Henson's photos, including some of those seized. It cleared them as not pornographic.

The case sparked a furor in Australia, with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and actress Cate Blanchett among the high-profile figures weighing in.

Public opinion divided

Many art critics and gallery officials charged to Henson's defence, while Blanchett and other prominent Australians issued a public letter in support of Henson.

"The potential prosecution of one of our most respected artists … does untold damage to our cultural reputation," the letter stated.

Members of the public also sent supportive messages, gallery director Roslyn Oxley said.

"These messages give us faith that our society really is as we believe it to be — one that is open to frank debate and inquiry and not afraid to voice differing views," she said.

However, Hetty Johnston, founder and executive director of child sexual assault action group Bravehearts, urged police to lay charges against Henson and the gallery. Prime Minister Rudd and opposition leader Barry O'Farrell were also among those who criticized the works.

Despite the decision to drop the case, Rudd said he stands by his previously-stated view that the Henson photos in question are "absolutely revolting."

Considered one of Australia's renowned artists, Henson has represented the nation at the Venice Biennale contemporary art fair. His work is studied by photography students and has appeared at the Guggenheim Museum, the Paris National Library and held in other art collections worldwide.

With files from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation