The parish council in St. Peders Church in Næstved has provided two paintings by the visual artist Thomas Kluge with gold edges. It won't work, says the Association of Visual Artists, who want a bailiff's ban against showing the paintings to the public.
Visual artist Thomas Kluge was appointed by the parish council in Sct. Peders Church in Næstved chosen to paint two paintings on the doors of the church's recreated 'swallow's nest organ', which was put into use in 2016. But although Kluge won the task in competition with several other artists, improvements to the work that was delivered to the church in 2021, still possible according to the parish council, which has provided the paintings with a gold border.
This appears from a feature on TV2 Øst on 19 May. Chairman of the parish council, Lene Cortz Pedersen, writes in a text message to TV2 ØST that she can confirm that at the most recent council meeting there was a majority in favor of a gold border on the paintings.
The church is currently closed due to craftsmen, but through the church's windows Thomas Kluge can see in the feature that the paintings have been given a golden edge.
It has not been possible to get further comment from the parish council on the decision. But Thomas Kluge emphasizes that he has never approved any gold edge.
"You must not change a work. And it has always been my demand that there should be no gold on it, I have always said that," he says.
And Thomas Kluge is supported by head of secretariat Klaus Pedersen from the Visual Artists' Association, who has intervened in the case:
“An absolutely incredible case. It is not commonplace in our world that an entire parish council apparently chooses to take copyright seriously and commit suicide. It is of course completely unheard of and probably punishable," he says.
Thomas Kluge has now given power of attorney to the Association of Visual Artists, who will cover the costs of legal assistance. Initially, they will try to get a bailiff ban, so that the painted gates cannot be shown to the public at Sunday's service in St. Peter's Church.
Photo: Thomas Kluge