Artists draw their spears
Local artists demand freedom of expression be respected in the row over a satirical painting of Zuma, writes Annie Dorasamy
THE controversy over a painting of President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed has turned ugly, with battle lines firmly drawn between the ANC and artists.
The ANC has applied for an urgent interdict to have South African artist Brett Murray’s painting removed from Joburg’s Goodman Gallery and from the City Press’s website.
The ANC’S outrage – and legal action – is over Murray’s interpretation of president Zuma seen striking a Vladimir Lenin pose but with his penis hanging out of his pants. Party spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the ANC found it distasteful and offensive.
“It is our view that the continued display and exhibition of this so-called portrait will continue to be an affront to the dignity and the privacy of President Zuma in all his capacities but also as a South African whose right to human dignity and privacy is protected and guaranteed by the constitution,” said Mthembu.
“We resorted to this urgent court application because our plea to both the parties, who are respondents, to remove this offensive so-called portrait fell on deaf earns. An urgent application to the High Court was then the last resort.
“We are confident that the remedy we seek from the Johannesburg High Court, which is the removal of this so-called piece of art from display and all other platforms, will ensure that the violation of the dignity, reputation and integrity of President Zuma is immediately stopped,” said Mthembu.
Murray’s collection, titled Hail to the Thief 11, is showing at the Goodman Gallery until June 16. The depiction of Zuma, titled The Spear, has attracted hundreds of curious visitors.
Kwazulu-natal artists have come out in support of Murray, who is known for his politically inspired work, and demand his right to freedom of expression.
Bren Brophy, curator of KZN Society of Arts (KZNSA), said when Murray was a young artist during apartheid and criticised the then ruling party while the ANC was an underground movement, the ANC had no objection to it.
“It’s ironic that the ruling party now finds Murray’s work offensive. It seems we have come full circle. The content of the artwork is not defamatory. It’s not about art but about freedom of speech and the freedom of our democracy.
“We firmly support artists who open dialogues through their work. The ruling party has every right to respond to the artwork, but there is nothing illegal about the painting, which does not in any way break or shape existing laws,” said Brophy.
Pascal Chandler, a member of KZNSA, said: “The issue is disturbing because it’s about censorship of artists, not only by government, but by political parties as well.”
Artist Bonnie Kaplan, who runs a website for KZN artists, said she believes Zuma has invited the public to make interpretations of his “inappropriate behaviour”.
“The president has invited cartoons and artwork depicting his complete disregard for women in light of the rape case he had against him and the fact that he is constantly taking on more wives.
“The artist must be respected for his interpretation and his artwork should stay,” she said.
Meanwhile in a joint statement by the Alliance Gender Structures comprising the ANC Women’s League, Cosatu’s gender committee and the SACP Women’s League, spokeswoman Troy Martens said the painting was not only an insult to the president and to the ANC but to all South Africans who have been subjected to their president portrayed in this sexual manner.
“The painting is extremely insensitive and an expression of pure prejudice. It violates the integrity of the office of the president and it violates his rights as an individual to humane and fair treatment.
“The alliance demands the painting be removed from the walls of the gallery and from the internet where it is currently circulating and causing much humiliation to all patriotic South Africans,” said Martens.
But, despite death threats the gallery will not remove the painting, which has already fetched R136 000 from a foreign buyer.
On Friday the ANC served court papers on the Goodman Gallery, giving notice of its intention to interdict it from displaying the artwork.
The ruling party also included City Press in its application, asking that the newspaper refrain from displaying and exhibiting the image on its website or any other platform.
The matter will be heard on Tuesday.
The gallery says it will oppose the application, saying it cannot give up its right “to decide what art will hang on our walls”.
“We provide a neutral space in which dialogue and free expression is encouraged. In this space the ANC’S right to condemn the work is acknowledged, as much as the artist’s right to display it,” it said late yesterday to our sister newspaper the Weekend Argus. – Additional reporting by Sapa