Artist rejects copyright breach

• Author: Joseph Los’e
• Published date: 02 August 2022
• Publication title: Bay of Plenty Times

Stritzel told NZME since receiving the legal threat from McLean’s lawyers in July, he has had several written exchanges with McLean

“I have made some suggestions on how my art can be used to support the Māori community,” Stritzel said.

“I don’t think there is a copyright infringement here. In the last few weeks, I have discussed this with photographers from New Zealand and with a lawyer from Germany.

“A painted picture with paint on canvas is not a photo. If photos are used for inspiration, that’s fine, especially since my painting differs from the photo in colour, content and performance.

“Of course, using a photo and copy and paste would be a copyright infringement.”

The copyright notice was served on Stritzel when his portrait of the Tūhoe elder — also chairman of the Manurewa Marae, on the community local board and Trust Board — was offered for sale on a popular European website with a price tag of a couple of thousand euros. The initial image of McLean came from portraits shot by well-known Kiwi photographer Michael Bradley.

Stritzel said he meant no offence to McLean, Māori or Bradley. He travelled to New Zealand in 2019 and feels inspired by Māori.

“Most people find it flattering and are honoured to be portrayed,” Stritzel said.

“As an artist, I’m not interested in copying reality of people. I try to paint the mood, the environment, or the cultural impressions. For this I use the art of portrait...