CONTROVERSY OVER PAINTING OF SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT FORCES GALLERY TO CLOSE ITS DOORS

Controversy over painting of South African president forces gallery to close its doors

The Johannesburg High Court will decide if the artist’s right to freedom of expression outweighs Jacob Zuma’s right to privacy

By Riah Pryor. Web only

Published online: 23 May 2012

A leading South African gallery has temporarily closed amid mounting controversy over a satirical painting of the country’s president. Jacob Zuma, the South African president and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) political party filed a legal suit against the Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg, this month for displaying a painting by Brett Murray, The Spear, 2011. The painting depicts Zuma in a mock-heroic pose with exposed genitalia. Zuma and the ANC contend that the work violates his constitutional right to dignity. The ANC also says that work refers to stereotypes around African male sexuality. In his application to have the painting removed, Zuma also demanded that the gallery’s promotional material be destroyed.

The Goodman Gallery released a statement in which it says that after “numerous threats of intimidation” it will be temporarily closed. “We feel that the Goodman Gallery, its staff as well the public visitors are at risk.”

The Goodman Gallery refused to remove the work. Liza Essers, the gallery’s director, said that is determined to fight for freedom of expression and artistic creativity. The work is part of a show “Hail to the Thief II” and is reported to have been sold before the opening night for R136,000 ($16,200).

An initial hearing to decide if the artist’s right to freedom of expression outweighs Zuma’s right to privacy, was held at High Court in Johannesburg on 22 May, however no ruling was made and a further hearing was scheduled for 24 May.

The Johannesburg-based City Press newspaper, which had also received a court order, also refused to remove an image of the painting that it had posted on its website.

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