[Aquanet] AWS controversy

[Jack Russell]

Since it seems to be quiet here on the Aquanet list, I thought I'd pass
along something that has become a heated discussion on the Wet Canvas
website. Apparently, the gold medal winner at the 2008 American Watercolor
Society show has been accused of copyright infringement. The painting in
question is a combination of two photographs taken by a photographer who
claims not to have given the winning artist permission to reproduce the
images. In addition, there seems to be some question as to whether the
winning painting is really a painting at all or, perhaps, a high quality
print. The "print or painting" discussion has arisen among photographers who
point to a flaw in the photo being visible in the winning painting.

 

Here's the link to the ongoing discussion at Wet Canvas (be advised it's
already 14 pages long and still growing) . . .

 

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=515288

 

If the gold medal winner is ultimately proven to be a fraud, it would seem
to put the AWS in a very awkward position, especially if the "painting"
turns out not to be a painting at all. As someone who's never entered a
show, I'm fascinated by this story and somewhat surprised that a prestigious
group such as the AWS doesn't do more stringent "vetting" of submissions to
its annual show.

 

Jack 

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