Ayanda Mabulu from South Africa is one artist that is not strange to controversies. His latest painting has put him in the spotlight again for yet another controversy. This time his painting was about white people and racism against blacks.
He recently displayed his latest work which he themed “Blame it on the boer” outside the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton. He has however been arrested for publicly displaying the artwork. The artwork shows late racist and former leader of the AWB, Eugene Terre’Blanche and Markus Jooste, the former CEO of Steinhoff. The later was involved in what is regarded as the biggest scam in South African Corporate History.
Here’s a brief remind of what #AyandaMabulu has been up to over the years over these controversial paintings. So what’s special ka Markus Jooste? https://t.co/fScclKCYob
— Akanyang Merementsi (@AkanyangM) December 12, 2018
The figures in the painting are imposed with swastikas as a black man is seen hanging upside down and Steinhoff is depicted receiving fellatio from an African woman. At the bottom of the painting was the inscription, “Blame it on the boer” and it is obviously directed at the whites, especially the Afrikaners. Around the painting are severed pig heads having hundred rand notes in their mouths.
Why is Ayanda Mabulu arrested when he displays a painting with caption “Blame it on Boers?” When he painted derogative paintings about Zuma, the boers said it was freedom of speech.#AyandaMabulu https://t.co/bNnlIGl301
— Hloni Nyetanyane (@HloniNyetanyane) December 12, 2018
When discussing the meaning of the artwork Mabulu said he is speaking against the marginalization of blacks by the whites. Prior to this Mabulu has been in the news for several controversial works, most times seen as degrading of women of color. He had earlier in the year released a painting showing Nelson Mandela in a Nazi salute which was viewed as highly disrespectful and a total misrepresentation of what Mandela stood for by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He also did a painting of Mandela and former President Thabo Mbeki in an apparent sexual act.
Ayanda Mbulu paid the untransformed lilly white boerdebond JSE a visit. When he painted Zuma and Mandela it was freedom of speech. When he paints white people his work is confiscated and he is arrested. #AyandaMabulu pic.twitter.com/IjZf2kXZ05
— Tumi (@CHANDIZGP) December 13, 2018
Despite all of this people have taken to twitter to state that the arrest was unfair as Mabulu had never been arrested for his works showing black leaders. There was a bit of scuffle as the Police tried confiscating the painting from Mabulu which led to his arrest. He released shortly afterwards with a stern warning not to return to JSE with the artwork.
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