Contracted as the City of Ballarat's artistic director last year, Mr Rocchiccioli has been a topic of conversation since arriving in the city.

Some residents have publicly questioned the need for his role with council, the amount he is being paid and what results he has achieved for the city so far.

The photo of a naked Mr Rocchiccioli draped in the Eureka flag in "The Courier" prompted interest from radio stations in Melbourne and Sydney.

At least one metropolitan newspaper reported calls had been made for Mr Rocchiccioli to stand down. It did not say who had made those calls.

The photo ran to promote an upcoming exhibition at the gallery called "Ballarat in the Raw", which will feature locals dressed in nothing but the Eureka flag. Since then, the gallery has had more than 30 phone

calls from residents wanting to take part.

"The Courier" has received a number of letters about the photo itself and the exhibition.

While some comments posted on "The Courier" website were in favour of the exhibition, others were not so positive, with the photo being described as a "horrid sight" and a "blight on Ballarat."

"My wife and I object to this type of filth being on public display in our beautiful gallery," Jeff of Creswick wrote.

"Am I the only one who sees what is truly offensive about this photo?" JT of Sebastapol said.

Letters to "The Courier" were also scathing.

"Really, is this what the ratepayers are paying Mr Rocchiccioli thousands and thousands of dollars for?" Jean Burt, of Alfredton, wrote.

Mr Rocchiccioli has appeared on talkback radio stations in Melbourne and Sydney to explain the photo while metropolitan newspapers have also run stories on the situation.

Council CEO Anthony Schinck declined to comment on the response to the photo.