STUART BIRD TWO FINGERS WED 24 FEB.10 BIRD |
 |
|||
 PHOTOS: ALAN TAYLOR
TWO FINGERS / 2010 With a remarkable sense of timing, provocative artist Stuart Bird opened Two Fingers at YOUNGBLACKMAN last night. Bird is well known for criticising Zuma's policies in the past, with his Zuma Biscuits, which comprised of giant Zoo Biscuits imprinted with images of a skirt, shower, machine gun and Zulu shield causing much controversy in 2007/8. Though it may not be his original intention, Bird's latest work once again could be seen to take a satirical look at our president. Just
a few days ago 25-year-old UCT student, Chumani Maxwele, was arrested for
pulling a zap sign at President Jacob Zuma’s convoy while jogging with a friend
on De Waal Drive. It was alleged the student was taken into custody by gunpoint
and a bag was put over his head. In the 24 hours that he was held, Maxwele
claimed he was interrogated about his political affiliations and officials searched
his Woodstock home. In actions remarkably reminiscent of a police state, the
police ministry said the sociology student pointed his middle finger at the
president which was synonymous with swearing and showing disrespect."No person
is permitted to use foul language, swear at another individual, especially as
such conduct may lead to promoting hate conduct in the Republic," said
spokesman Zweli Mnisi. |
||||
