Brett Whiteley Fakes: Artist Conservator And Dealer Stand Trail For Accused Art Crime

Despite the technological advances, there is still a calling for masterpieces made the traditional way. Either it be paintings, sculptures, or drawings, there is both an emergence of new styles with a resurgence of old. The Inquisitr reported on the return of hyperrealism, as shown by Mike Dargas. On the other hand, a new style — coffee painting done by Maria. A. Aristidou — is making headlines.

The aforementioned artists are just two of many who are keeping art alive for other traditional artists and the collectors willing to pay thousands of dollars for original work. And even though other forms of creative expression — such as movies, music, and even writing — generally surpass painting, painting is thus far the only one intolerant of duplicates or fakes. To compare and contrast, consumers illegally download music, ebooks, and movies. On the creative side, musicians infringe copyright, filmmakers direct cheap duplicates, and authors and journalists will replicate work. Very rarely will such criminals be punished.

However, in traditional painting (even digital painting to an extent), duplicates and fakes are not tolerated whatsoever. Collectors want originals, not fakes, and if said collector finds out their art is a fake, they get angry and blame the parties involved with the purchase. Also, any artist caught creating fakes can pretty much wish their art career farewell. Summarized, both the business and the community do not care for cheap imitations, and those who participate in such business are blacklisted and punished mercilessly.

With that in mind, two men — an artist conservator and dealer — stood trial for the crime of selling fakes. Not only that, the men claimed the fakes were by renowned Australian artist Brett Whiteley.

According to the Age, Mohamed Aman Siddique, an art conservator, and Peter Stanley Gant, an art dealer, were on trial, Friday, April 10, in Sydney, Australia. Apparently, Siddique painted three works in the style of Brett Whiteley titled Big Blue Lavender Bay, Orange Lavender Bay, and Through the Window, Lavender Bay.

With the help of Peter Stanley Gant, Mohamed Aman Siddique sold the first two paintings between 2007 and 2010. The victims were Steve Nasteski, a luxury-car dealer, and Andre Pridham, and chairman of the Sydney AFL team. The combined total both Gant and Siddique stole was $3.6 million. The third painting was offered as collateral to defer a $950,000 debt.

In another report by Yahoo! News, Magistrate Suzie Cameron determined there was sufficient evidence to send the men to trial. The court utilized two different sources to determine the authenticity of the paintings. The first is Vanessa Kowalski, an art conservator. Kowalski conducted a paint analysis back in 2010 indicating the works had been created recently, more likely within five years. The second was Wendy Whiteley, Brad Whiteley’s ex-wife. Apparently, the wife knew the paintings were fake the moment she saw them.

“It felt many things… it felt wrong. Dead was one of many words. Stiff. Dead. It was many words. I can tell it’s a fake. It’s dead.”

As of now, the trial is still ongoing. Both Mohamed Aman Siddique and Peter Stanley Gant are pleading not guilty. As more information becomes available about the Brett Whiteley fakes, it shall be reported.