The infamous Jacob Zuma painting

[Citizen X]

I don't really know much about art or how to properly critique any work of art. I’m not that cultured i.e. to go to art exhibitions and galleries etc. Even to my untrained eyes this is not even a nice piece of art. I mean this is not the Mona Lisa! That anyone will actually buy this painting and pay a lot of good money for it is simply beyond me. I maintain that the painting is distasteful but not unlawful. Why would I want to look at another man’s genitals? I honesty can’t see how JZ’s application will succeed? I will be very surprised if it does succeed. What grabs me is the selective morality demonstrated by the ruling party, it’s okay to ‘shoot the boer,’ but it’s not okay to make a satirical painting of a sitting president. Whilst, I’m not into art, I am into political cartoons. A satirical cartoon is very necessary in any democracy.

[Dave A]

Also if the gallery and artist just replied we didn't mean to offend you

Not a claim they could reasonably sustain, I think. The imagery is undeniably provocative - even intentionally offensive.
Ironically it's part of what helps make it defendable as art.

Here's a thought to ponder -
Fascinating that the ANC intends arguing this based on respect for the office of President and not on the character of the man.

[IMHO]

Something that one should understand about the black mans culture. In the 90's, black men who did not supported the ANC was caught and tied up naked to a lamp post in the street, for everyone to see his genitals. That is because it is the worst humiliation a black man can suffer, in that his children see his private parts. If one understand this, one can understand the reaction and humiliation of JZ. This was a big blunder and all whites will be even more hated for it.

[IanF]

Lets see the court decision later.
If only the ANC could tackle the real problems in SA with the same vigour!

[Citizen X]

Something that one should understand about the black mans culture. In the 90's, black men who did not supported the ANC was caught and tied up naked to a lamp post in the street, for everyone to see his genitals. That is because it is the worst humiliation a black man can suffer, in that his children see his private parts. If one understand this, one can understand the reaction and humiliation of JZ. This was a big blunder and all whites will be even more hated for it.

Many thanks indeed IMHO for this insight, I was not aware of this. I think learning about each others cultures and taboos is an ongoing exercise!

[murdock]

Something that one should understand about the black mans culture. In the 90's, black men who did not supported the ANC was caught and tied up naked to a lamp post in the street, for everyone to see his genitals. That is because it is the worst humiliation a black man can suffer, in that his children see his private parts. If one understand this, one can understand the reaction and humiliation of JZ. This was a big blunder and all whites will be even more hated for it.

i was wondering how they could turn this into a racial issue...i take it a white person painted the pic...i am sure the top gear team will have a comment for this painting when they arrive next month..."what a cock"...being white boys they best keep the comment to themselves.

[Citizen X]

Interesting new development: the painting has apparently been destroyed or defaced...

[tec0]

Interesting new development: the painting has apparently been destroyed or defaced...

It was...

I cannot help but wonder why?... Why was the destruction of the painting that was done by both a minority and majority person deemed by the e-new$ reporter as race thing? Was she not able to see that the minority submitted willingly and the majority resisted? It happened on Camera why did she say what she said?

WHY? WHY? WHY?

I don't get it?


That said a crime no matter how justifiable remains a crime.

[AndyD]

I don't see the point of trying to destroy the painting even if think it's an abhorrence, it's only going to add to the Streisand effect and probably put the painting in the international spotlight instead of just local.

[IanF]

This would be a great opportunity for a leader in the ANC to become a great statesman. Just drop the court battle and say this has got out of hand and they are just going to ignore the whole thing and ask their supporters to the same.
Will it happen nah!

[adrianh]

I want to know how they are planning to ban it from the internet - maybe JuJu will shut the internet down for them

[tec0]

News is suppose to be impartial… was it?
Will an investigation reveal more?

[Dave S]

I wouldn't consider this to be a "work of art", hell, it doesn't even look like JZ to me? It looks like the artist just stuck a pair of testes and a penis on a picture from a magazine? But the result has been obvious. JZ and the various ANC groups have made it clear that racism is alive and well in SA and we (white SA's) are still paying for segregation. If the artist were a black man, I can almost gaurantee it would have been laughed-off as a prank, now the artist will become renowned and this painting will get international recognition... I think that's what the artist may have had in mind?

[ChronicDJ]

I've been following this story and the developments since it broke, and I've noticed that the majority of opinions are around this one painting.

Here's a link to the entire exhibition : http://www.goodman-gallery.com/exhibitions/265

Having a look at the other works, I think that the artist's work is excellent political satire with a deep and valid message. However, this one painting however is the least political and the most personal piece of work.
I don't disagree with the painting nor do i think the artist has taken things too far. Nudes have always been a popular style, and fused with political satire makes it all that much more powerful.

Someone on this thread posted about what an exposed penis means in black culture, which made me understand the outrage. But this is a painting, for which Jacob Zuma didn't pose for hence he is not really exposed. So by all means get upset or angry, like one would if you find something distasteful but to attempt to censor it is taking your gripes too far because the artist did not understand what it means in your culture but in his culture (satirical art) it makes perfect sense...reminds me of Christians getting all bothered about halal stickers on hot cross buns.
Pointless.

[ChronicDJ]

@Dave_S, there is a painting Ayanda Mabulu did called "Un-mute my tongue" :http://www.worldart.co.za/news/article.asp?ID=95

This also caused offense and galleries and sponsors refused to have it because of the depictions of the AWB members in it.
Point is that this was quietly dealt with and the artist is relatively unknown still. Whereas, another artist (who happens to be white) paints something less controversial IMO, and is now a household name because of everybody going crazy over a piece that "doesn't even look like JZ"

"Political systems, the media, business and even religion seem to favour those who have. It is so obvious. Why do we accept that?" says Mabulu.