Christie's refuses to withdraw Husain's works

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Posted online: Tuesday , March 18, 2008 at 11:27:47
Updated: Tuesday , March 18, 2008 at 11:49:46

New York, March 18: Leading international art auction house Christie's has rejected a demand to withdraw from an upcoming auction the works of noted artiste M F Husain who is accused of painting Hindu gods and goddesses in a "derogatory and vulgar" form.

In a letter sent to Christie's, the Indian American Intellectual Forum President Narain Kataria had threatened to hold a demonstration unless it stops the scheduled auction of Husain's paintings on March 20.

Christie's spokesperson Sara Fox said Christie's is "respectful of all religions and ethnicities" but has to keep in mind "artistic freedom".

"We also respect artistic freedom. Christie's will not withdraw the works by M F Husain from sale of South Asian Modern plus Contemporary Art on March 20," she said.

"Art and culture embraces multiple interpretations and re-interpretations of religious and ethnic symbols that are often highly individual expressions," she said in an e-mail response.

Kataria said the Forum along with Hindu Janjagruti Samiti would go ahead with its planned demonstration outside the auction hall on the day of the event.

In his letter, Kataria had said Husain had gained "ignominy and notoriety" in India by painting Hindu Gods in nude and in a very "derogatory and vulgar form."

Christie's expects some of Husain's paintings to fetch between USD 120,000 and USD 180,000 while several others may be bought for USD 20,000 to USD 40,000.

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MF HUSSAIN SHOULD BE HANGED by sudhir on 19 Mar 2008

Mr.Hussain is the most perverted bastard INDIA has produced. He derives great pleasure by painting some pictures and naming them by Hindu gods.This is called freedom of expression.What is wrong with Taslima s writings.Where are karat, yechury,teesta,burkha dutt,prannoy roy, teesta setalvad, mahesh bhatt, javed akhtar, shabana azmi?????They have gone silent because they do not want to hurt MUSLIMS. Hussain should be brought back to INDIA and be hanged from the ramparts of REDFORT for all the crimes he committed against majority community.

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Hussain paintings' auction by M. L. KAUL on 19 Mar 2008

U wan Hussain to close shop. His "secular" cohorts to shut up. Commission a painter and let's have an exhibit of all their women folk in exactly the same postures Hussain is so fond of. QED

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Auctioning of M F Hussain's paiting by Devendra Tripathi on 19 Mar 2008

I like the stance of Mr Kataria as well as that of Christie's. Christie's should honor the artistic freedom of artists and go ahead with auction. But at the same time people (the one who would buy the paintings) need know that here is an artist that takes pleasure in hurting the fealings of Hindus. The demonstration will also create awakening among many people that in India, a predominantly Hindu country, a muslim is able to create such a painting and people are able to protest against the same in peaceful manner (as opposed issuing fatawa to chop off his head). That is a win for democracy and win for Hinduism.

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Absolutely... by withheld on 19 Mar 2008

Very well said, indeed ! That's the spirit when 'positively' perceived.

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Refuse unto Refuse by TS on 18 Mar 2008

Christie's refuses to withdraw Hussein's refuse.

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