SENEGALESE ART FESTIVAL REFUSES TO PAY BILL
The Black World Arts Festival in Dakar, Senegal, has failed to return over one hundred works of art it exhibited last December. Artists such as William Kentridge and Sokari Douglas-Camp have voiced their concern for their works, which were supposed to be returned in February.
The pieces are being held by LP Art, a Paris-based art handling company, because it says the Senegalese government-backed organizers of the festival, which included the president’s daughter Syndiely Wade, have failed to pay the $1 million bill. President Abdoulaye Wade has assured that any debts would be settled after an audit of the art handling company’s invoices.
In response to the controversy, Yinka Shonibare gave William Wallis of the Financial Times this message to Senegalese government: “You bestowed me with the highest honor given by your country, the National Order of the Lion. I publicly renounce your award if you fail to restore your good name.”
