Vandals deface controversial Zuma painting
Social media websites are buzzing with reports that a controversial painting showing South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has been vandalised in a Johannesburg art gallery. The painting, which displays Zuma's genitals, has been described as "sadistic" by some of his supporters.
- This picture of the defaced painting, which was hanging in the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg, was uploaded onto Twitter.
This is what the painting currently looks like. http://pic.twitter.com/mTpADKL1- Apparently people at the gallery tried to intervene when two men tried to smear the painting.
#ZumaSpear Journalist Iman Rappetti witnessed the incident. She says a man walked in with pot of red paint and painted an X over the spear.
#ZumaSpear Rappetti says a second man followed with a pot of black paint and threw it on the painting.- #ZumaSpear Rappetti says she intervened and alerted security. Both men have now been apprehended. Waiting for police to arrive.
- Meanwhile hundreds of people carrying posters gathered outside the High Court in Johannesburg.
Hundred-odd ANC supporters protest outside Johannesburg High Court against #zumaspear painting. #AFP http://pic.twitter.com/spRF4utL- Zuma's ruling ANC went to the High Court to have the painting removed from the Goodman Gallery. The court ruled that the hearing will be broadcast live on television on Thursday.
BusinessDay - Disgust vs dignity: Zuma painting courts controversy
A PAINTING of President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed violated his rights, the Presidency said on Friday. "The Presidency is shock...- "The Presidency is shocked and disgusted at the grotesque painting by Brett Murray depicting President Zuma in an offensive manner," Businessday newspaper quoted spokesman Mac Maharaj as saying.
More #Anc supporters outside the South Gauteng high court. #ZumaSpear http://pic.twitter.com/boXIUDgt- Many supporters of the ANC and Zuma have been upset with the painting, calling it an abuse of artistic expression. The artist who did the painting, Brett Murray, said he never intended to cause hurt or to harm the dignity of another.
Artist Brett Murray says his artwork depicting the president with his genitals exposed was never meant to hurt anyone. n24.cm/KGeQSs- "I never intended the artwork to cause any hurt or to harm the dignity of any person," he said in statement to the court.
- It was reportedly already sold to a German collector for around $14,000.
The German collector who has bought #thespear really can't be all that pleased with the additions #ZumaSpear- The 1.85m-high acrylic painting sparked huge online debate about freedom of expression and the right to dignity and privacy.
