What a lift the hullabaloo has created for contemporary art in South Africa. Particularly for Brett Murray, whose work I am particularly fond of yet cannot afford. Now my chances of securing one of his pieces is more remote than ever. So if you happen to own some of his work hang on to it as the value is set to rocket.
Fully clothed members of the ANC will join ordinary South Africans in a rush to see the piece before it is forcibly removed by the military police. Even heavily disguised opposition party members will be enticed to view our President in all his glory; the glory conferred on him by the artist that is.
And Murray will not be the only beneficiary of this unexpected windfall for commercial art. Goodman Gallery’s Lisa Essers sounded suitably enraged when interviewed. Of course she should stand her ground. This is the best publicity the gallery has enjoyed since performance artist Stephen Cohen inserted a stick up his posterior at the opening of his show at Goodman Johannesburg.
Ms Esser is known not to miss a trick or two so expect the artwork to appear on mug mats, limited edition prints, wine bottle labels and various out of home media spaces. Personally I ‘m not sure my coffee mug would rest well, nor could I stomach a glass of Franschoek’s finest whilst viewing the spectacle If you have the stomach for it, get into line, before MOMA gets wind it.
Brett Murray and Goodman Gallery have done our struggling artists proud.
Sandra Gordon is the publisher of TheMediaOnline.
