A painting depicting President Jacob Zuma and former president Nelson Mandela as whites including former heads of state Hendrik Verwoerd, John Vorster, PW Botha and FW de Klerk shown as blacks was removed from an art exhibition in Nelspruit. The art work, created by Kobus Myburgh, was in an exhibition as part of the local municipality’s festivity of World Art Day, News 24 reported.
However the artwork was taken down and locked it in a storeroom after the council’s arts and culture head Themba Mona saw the painting of Zuma and Mandela and two others and decided instantly that the art piece was “not suitable” for public viewing. Council spokesperson Bessie Pienaar said Mona had the right to decide what could be exhibited. But “who is to decide what is fit for public viewing? And on what criteria did he base his knee-jerk decision? We live in a democracy and the right to engage and express opinions is a sovereign and legal right”, said observer. This is a valid question to ask considering that the painting was interpreted wrongfully and by one party, and viewers seem to understand the painting in a positive way like Myburgh intended.
According to Myburgh the work of art was created two years ago, long before the 2012 controversy surrounding The Spear painting, in which Zuma was depicted with his genitals exposed. His painting was “by no means a protest piece. There is a positive message, to show that we are actually all alike” he added, and “That’s why I called the painting Simunye – the Zulu word for ‘we are one’. We are and remain equal, regardless of the colour of our skin” said News 24. But even after Myburgh explained the meaning behind his art piece, his painting was not exhibited.
The main point of art is to deduce the different levels of reality and to illustrate thought. Observer said that they “find Kobus Myburgh’s intention behind his painting to be quite thoughtful. It is a gesture to the grand- if even shaky- ideals of reconciliation upon which this post-apartheid nation-state is founded”. To censor this artist and any other artist is a disloyalty of the right to freedom of speech and expression, which is exactly what numerous artists struggle with. “The council’s arts and culture head Themba Mona of government employee has not acted in the spirit of democracy and the constitution. In fact, he has violated that spirit and should be held accountable” said spectator.
Commetary : http://ridwanlaher.blogspot.com/2013/04/white-zuma-mandela-painting-rejected.html
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