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Controversial painting by John Key
Wednesday 14 December 2011
PRESS RELEASE
Controversial painting by John Key
An original painting by Prime Minister John Key is causing commotion on New Zealand auction website, Trademe.
A humorous trademe listing titled, ‘The Real Helen’ has had over 500 views since it was listed yesterday. The high level of interest in the auction is likely due to the controversial subject; a comical depiction of former Labour Prime Minister Ms Helen Clark.
The painting is a satire of Helen Clark’s Official Portrait photograph which was widely criticised during Clark’s 2008 election campaign for being heavily airbrushed. Local commentary during her campaign was that the photo and her real look had too much disparity. Key’s painting features a crudely painted Clark, with paintbrush in hand and accompanying text, ‘John, give me back my airbrush.’ The painting is signed by John Key and dated 2007 when he was challenging Ms Clark for the nation’s top job.
The authenticity is another of the controversial elements of the painting. In 2005, several paintings were sold at an auction for charity on the belief they were painted and signed by Helen Clark. In a revelation that bought international attention to NZ, Clark admitted she'd signed someone else’s paintings. One buyer complained to Police, leading to an inquiry.
However the authenticity of this auction has been subsequently verified after bidders demanded evidence of its legitimacy. A photograph has since been added of Mr Key, holding the painting at the Annual Northland National Party conference held at the Forum North in Whangarei.
Bidding is currently at $500; however, insiders are tipping the bidding to go into the thousands. John Key's recent sketch of the New Zealand Silver Fern flag sold for $19,338 in February 2010.
The seller, listed as ’The Real Helen’, is selling the ‘meritorious’ painting and claims the as a remarkable opportunity to ‘own a piece of history’. It is not yet clear who is the true owner of the painting; it is being sold on behalf of an individual who wishes to remain anonymous.
Bidding closes on Friday 23 September.
The auction web listing can be found here:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=431973885
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