Controversial Pollock For Sale in Toronto

by Art Fag City on October 31, 2008 · 12 comments

 horton_pollock.jpg
Image via: The Reeler. 

The CBC reports accidental collector Teri Horton, star of the 2006 documentary Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock, has teamed up with Toronto’s Gallery Delisle in an attempt to sell her thrift store find.   Still valued at 50 million, and without the authentication of the International Foundation for Art Research, the painting has been the source of much controversy, since forensic scientist Peter Paul Biro produced findings (such as finger print evidence) that indicate Pollock made the painting.

Ex-truck driver Teri Horton continues to be her charming self.  The CBC includes several quotes from her explaining that an international buyer better deserves the piece than the American establishment who originally rejected the painting’s authenticity. She’s quick to explain of course, that should an American buyer appear it wouldn’t hold up the sale.  Meanwhile, responding to a reporter at the CBC she says,

“Do I personally think it’s worth [$50 million]? Hell no. It’s worth the $5 I gave for it. It’s ugly.”

She expressed a little more interest in the painting two years ago, when I asked her if she still thought it was a piece of shit, though not much.  “Well, the only way I can explain that is that the whole painting to me is based on principle,” she began, “and what I want to do with it and the barriers I’ve run into to accomplish the authenticity of it, but as far it as a piece, it’s not my forte, I don’t care for abstract, never have, I don’t care if it’s a Pollock or whoever, but I did see it, one time on the wall, of somebody’s – somebody who had it on the wall and had the proper lighting, and I have to admit it was beautiful…it had the right lighting, the right environment, and it was pretty it really was, but me, I don’t like abstract, I like Norman Rockwell, so…you know.”

Originally via: The Art News Blog

Art Fag City at The L Magazine: What New Aesthetic? Is Self-Expression Possible on Pinterest? The Andy Monument Extends Its Stay in Union Square
  • http://www.unutterable.org giovanni

    If I remember correctly, Biro, who claims to have found and confirmed the fingerprint, is part of the organization that would benefit from any proceeds from the painting, which in my mind puts his authority into serious question. The documentary acknowledges this, but mentions it only in passing, because I guess it’s more fun to bash the art world than some stubborn old lady.

    I would recommend that people read the first chapter of Malcolm Gladwell’s “Blink”, in which he documents a great example of art authorities trumping forensic tests. Those tests can turn out to be misleading more easily than TV shows like CSI would lead us to believe.

  • http://www.unutterable.org giovanni

    If I remember correctly, Biro, who claims to have found and confirmed the fingerprint, is part of the organization that would benefit from any proceeds from the painting, which in my mind puts his authority into serious question. The documentary acknowledges this, but mentions it only in passing, because I guess it’s more fun to bash the art world than some stubborn old lady.

    I would recommend that people read the first chapter of Malcolm Gladwell’s “Blink”, in which he documents a great example of art authorities trumping forensic tests. Those tests can turn out to be misleading more easily than TV shows like CSI would lead us to believe.

  • http://www.unutterable.org giovanni

    If I remember correctly, Biro, who claims to have found and confirmed the fingerprint, is part of the organization that would benefit from any proceeds from the painting, which in my mind puts his authority into serious question. The documentary acknowledges this, but mentions it only in passing, because I guess it’s more fun to bash the art world than some stubborn old lady.

    I would recommend that people read the first chapter of Malcolm Gladwell’s “Blink”, in which he documents a great example of art authorities trumping forensic tests. Those tests can turn out to be misleading more easily than TV shows like CSI would lead us to believe.

  • Art Fag City

    I see your point, but I don’t think anyone would risk their professional reputation and career by staking an authenticity claim on a painting they aren’t 100% sure about. Fingerprint authentication, according to Biro, is an exact science. In other words, a match is a match, and if you get it wrong you lose your license.

    That said, the fact that the best Horton has been able to do with regards to art world representation is Tod Volpe, a dealer and convicted felon, and Gallery Delisle, a gallery that at least by the look of its website has very little going for it, doesn’t look good.

  • Art Fag City

    I see your point, but I don’t think anyone would risk their professional reputation and career by staking an authenticity claim on a painting they aren’t 100% sure about. Fingerprint authentication, according to Biro, is an exact science. In other words, a match is a match, and if you get it wrong you lose your license.

    That said, the fact that the best Horton has been able to do with regards to art world representation is Tod Volpe, a dealer and convicted felon, and Gallery Delisle, a gallery that at least by the look of its website has very little going for it, doesn’t look good.

  • Art Fag City

    I see your point, but I don’t think anyone would risk their professional reputation and career by staking an authenticity claim on a painting they aren’t 100% sure about. Fingerprint authentication, according to Biro, is an exact science. In other words, a match is a match, and if you get it wrong you lose your license.

    That said, the fact that the best Horton has been able to do with regards to art world representation is Tod Volpe, a dealer and convicted felon, and Gallery Delisle, a gallery that at least by the look of its website has very little going for it, doesn’t look good.

  • http://www.myartspace.com/blog Brian Sherwin @ Myartspace Blo

    Did I ever show you pictures of the Picasso I found in my basement? The Warhol that I found in my garage is also a blast. :)

  • http://www.myartspace.com/blog Brian Sherwin @ Myartspace Blo

    Did I ever show you pictures of the Picasso I found in my basement? The Warhol that I found in my garage is also a blast. :)

  • http://www.myartspace.com/blog Brian Sherwin @ Myartspace Blog

    Did I ever show you pictures of the Picasso I found in my basement? The Warhol that I found in my garage is also a blast. :)

  • http://www.futureclaw.com yorgi

    the documentary who the *&(*&is Jackson Pollock is a ridiculous approach to question of appreciation by the art outsider and universal aesthetics. Don’t watch it unless you want to be pissed off.

  • http://www.futureclaw.com yorgi

    the documentary who the *&(*&is Jackson Pollock is a ridiculous approach to question of appreciation by the art outsider and universal aesthetics. Don’t watch it unless you want to be pissed off.

  • http://www.futureclaw.com yorgi

    the documentary who the *&(*&is Jackson Pollock is a ridiculous approach to question of appreciation by the art outsider and universal aesthetics. Don’t watch it unless you want to be pissed off.

Previous post:

Next post: