Technician sneaks his painting into an exhibition. But his bid to shine had unexpected consequences
Although art is about self-expression and reaching out to audiences, the industry is always buzzing with cutthroat competition where even highly skilled artists struggle to get the recognition that they deserve. With financial constraints, a lack of resources and opportunities, and a sense of self-doubt at times, artists fail to find a place for their artworks in notable galleries and exhibitions. But this 51-year-old man who works as a technician in Munich has found an innovative way to bring attention to his artistic creations.
According to the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, the technician employed in Munich’s Pinakothek der Moderne museum smuggled in his own painting and hung it on a gallery wall. But even though he believed that it might be his artistic breakthrough, the technician now faces prison time. “The employee considers himself as an artist and most likely saw his role in the museum’s installation team as a day job to support his true calling,” a spokesperson for the museum told The Guardian.
“He was carrying tools, that’s why he went totally unnoticed,” Tine Nehler, another spokesperson for the museum, informed The New York Times. “As a technician, he was able to move around all areas of the building outside of opening hours.” Thanks to the nature of his job, the stealthy artist was able to sneak his painting in while helping with the installation of an exhibition on architecture and philanthropy in Pinakothek der Moderne. The only detail released by the museum officials about the painting was its measurement which was noted to be around 24 by 47 inches.
According to The Guardian, the staff of the museum felt that something was off about the gallery after noticing the new painting but no further actions were taken that day. “The total damage is estimated at around $107. The picture has since been removed and confiscated,” Christian Drexler, chief superintendent of the Munich Police, told CNN.
The Pinakothek der Moderne houses art pieces from famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and Andy Warhol. Its collection of 20,000 works is one of the largest in Germany. As for the artist, he apparently confessed his actions via email after his painting was detected and removed from the gallery's wall. The museum has not only fired the technician but has also reported his actions to the police authorities. The unnamed artist is now under investigation for property damage and if convicted, he can face about two years of prison time, as per CNN.
Smithsonian Magazine reported that a similar incident occurred at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn, Germany a few weeks ago. This time a student decided to use double-sided tape to stick one of her paintings onto a gallery wall. The staff at the exhibition did not notice anything unusual until it was time for the exhibition to be dismantled. “We think it’s funny and we want to get to know the artist,” the museum wrote in a translated post on their X handle @bundeskunsthal. “So get in touch! There’s no trouble. Word of honor.”