The Art Of Freedom

“The Spear”, the work of art that drove a further wedge in our already divided country! That is pretty much how I am experiencing this painting by Brett Murray. Is it art? Well art by definition is so subjective one cannot argue that it isn't. So while the painting is not aesthetically pleasing to me, it does make a bold statement. Whether you agree with the statement the painting makes or not, is not what is relevant to me.

We have a great constitution which protects freedom of speech, and one has to respect that. With freedom comes responsibility, and I cannot appreciate one man's freedom when it comes at the expense of another. Freedom by its nature exempts you from external control or influence, so when you exercise yours, what are you doing to another’s freedom? Take out Brett Murray, the white guy who is an artist. Take out Jacob Zuma, the Black President who practices polygamy. These are two people real people with emotions. Add the public that is now embroiled in this spat, and the emotional roller coaster increases exponentially.

I am not sure what the intention of Murray’s painting was, but I am concerned that the outcome is not bothering him. He did not divide this country, but he is certainly not uniting it. There is a large proportion of the public, beyond the politicians and the President, who feel violated, and rightly so. Just because you do not understand Jacob Zuma's culture and values which come across in the way that he lives, does not mean that ridiculing those behaviors is OK!

Murray’s intent might have been to tell a story from his point of view. I believe his intent was to act in the best interest of the public in telling his story through the painting. The outcome though, does not play out to his original intent, surely? This matter going to court has lost the true meaning of the artist’s impression, unless if Murray is getting exactly what he wanted? If his cry is the greed of politicians post the apartheid era, and that is the story the painting was looking to tell, then is he not playing to the same tune by insisting on his work being made public? Is the greed for fame and power what is keeping him stuck on his point of view too?

You cannot demand respect, so I don’t think Zuma can appeal to Murray on those grounds. Respect is something that we should all give, forget about earning it! Art is supposed to be there to enrich society. Freedom to create is there to enrich society.

Having freedom requires delicate balance. It cannot work in isolation of looking at yourself only. It is in itself an art, not a science. The question is; how do we enrich our society while at the same time enriching ourselves? It's not a zero sum game, where one loses and the other wins. It's about what you do to make for a win/win result? You don’t need a court of law to get to that solution.

  

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