Controversial cartoonist’s drawing in aid of Haiti relief is rejected from auction over fear of reprisals

TV2’s morning lifestyle programme Go’morgen Danmark was the latest in a long line of those trying to help the victims of the Haitian earthquake. The show organised an auction through auctioneers, Lauritz.com, and asked well known politicians and personalities to donate personal items for the charity fundraiser.

A signed copy of Bill Clinton’s book dedicated to the head of the Social Democrats, concert and sports events tickets and a porcelain doll owned by Pia Kjærsgaard, head of the Danish People’s Party, are already listed in the auction.

However, when cartoonist Kurt Westergaard – forever to be associated with the Mohammed cartoons and terror threats – was asked to submit a new drawing for the auction, the auctioneers refused to accept it.

According to Mette Jessen of Lauritz, the decision was taken because of the latest attempt on Westergaard’s life when an alleged assassin broke into his house on New Year’s Day.

‘We must recognise that the terror threat is still of such a character that we can’t predict the consequences of a sale. We value the safety of our employees quite highly, which is why an eventual risk assessment was used in our consideration,’ she said.

Westergaard was disappointed in Lauritz’s decision, saying it was just another example of how his name creates fear.

‘The drawing was in no way controversial, but it seems my name is. I’m sorry for the fear it causes people. When even my hairdresser, who is Muslim, told me with sadness that she didn’t dare keep me on as a customer for fear of reprisals, then there’s reason to be sad about this development,’ he said.

Lauritz has now come under fire from all sectors of the art and political world, even Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen highlighted the matter at his weekly press conference.

He outright criticised the decision taken by Lauritz and what it represents in Danish society.

‘I won’t dictate which auction house sells what and who should cut someone’s hair but I want to warn against the stigmatisation it creates,’ the prime minister said.

He continued by saying that the people should not live their lives ‘in the shadow of fear’.

Galleri Draupner in Skanderborg, Jutland, has previously displayed a collection of Westergaard’s drawings based on fairytale adventures and has offered to step into the breach.

The auction for Westergaard’s drawing, which he describes as much in the vein of his fairytale artwork, went live today on the gallery’s website and has already raised bids of 12,000 kroner. The auction will run until 23 January.