They say art is a form of self-expression and others say that art is meant to provoke. If that is the case, then Brett Murray’s controversial portrait, The Spear, certainly provoked many people.
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The controversial painting
of president Jacob Zuma |
South African icon, Zakes Mda, spoke from the United States about The Spear, a career sharpened by apartheid censorship and the necessity of the art debate that was currently raging in South Africa. “Today of course you hear black people say naked bodies in art are against African culture. Which of the many African cultures? The shamefulness over the naked body is something that came with our Victorian colonisers. We can never go back to the old censorship in an age of the internet, but do you fear that self-censorship is heightened when work is attacked like this from all sides?”
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| The now defaced painting |
Many people say and believe that the painting crossed the line between freedom of expression and the right to dignity, while some say that it is just art and Brett Murray was just practising his freedom of expression. Whatever the case may be, the painting went as far as causing division in the ANC and many of those saw the painting as offensive.
At the end of the day, the painting was defaced at the Goodman Gallery by those who thought the painting was offensive, but then people were still willing to buy the painting for R136 800, even in its defaced form. Now did Brett Murray go a little too far or was he within his right of self-expression and practising his talent? Now that’s a point where many fail to agree on.
This was totally wrong and unacceptable within the society with such an integrity.It is not allowed period.
ReplyDeleteBut then many can argue and say that it was a form of self-expression and that he was just practising his skills/talent.
Deletei totally agree with you,it was just a way of expressing his talent.
DeleteThe artist of that painting must have forgotten that Jacob Zuma is the President of South Africa and not just an ordinary person. He deserves to be treated with respect.
ReplyDeleteBut Murray is an artist and artists create art..
DeleteActually I have to agree with the others,looking on the matter it is totally wrong even though the artists are having freedom of expression.Exposing someone's privacy is not acceptable and they have to show some respect to our president as he is the father figure to the nation.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he created the painting because he was being disrespectful to the president.
DeleteI think Freedom of expression comes with accountability, speaking of morality, you cannot express your artistic sense at someone's displeasure, just like graffiti, theres a right way and a right context to do things.
ReplyDeleteI also say art is a form of self-expression, this painting caused chaos because it was the president on it. What if it was just someone unknown, will people say naked bodies in art are against African culture? I dont think so...The thing is the president in on the painting.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, if it was someone else then people might have reacted in a different manner.
DeleteThere may be a race-based criticism to this, the president was drawn with his private parts exposed by a black artist and this did not cause the furore that Murray's generated. It therefore seems that the painting per se did not offend, what offended is the race of the painter
ReplyDeletefor me i though this was a beautiful master piece didnt see anything wrong with it, art is misunderstood
ReplyDeleteOthers saw nothing wrong with the painting, which is why the man who bought the painting was willing to fork out all that money even though the painting was defaced.
DeleteArt is a form of expression but people must not abuse it or use it as an excuse. Whwen ever you do something you must first think of how that will benefit or destroy you or other people. imagine if it was you on this picture, its really not funny and i agree it doent show respect of others.
ReplyDeleteI think that the painting would not cause any havoc if it was not the president, Jacob Zuma portrayed but someone else. The painter was conveying his feelings through art just like when cartoon strips are done and send a message to the public. It may have been offensive but it was taken out of proportion.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree with you on that one.
Deletethe important thing is that when we express ourselves we should hurt others be it singing or drawing
ReplyDelete