Maurizio Cattelan Accused of Plagiarism Over New York Show

Maurizio Cattelan faces plagiarism allegations from artist Anthony James over his work 'Sunday' (2024), presented at Gagosian New York in a show curated by Francesco Bonami. Both works consist of polished stainless steel sheets pierced by bullet holes—Cattelan's gold-plated, James's mirror-finished. James's lawyer, Scott Allan Burroughs of Doniger Burroughs, sent a five-page letter demanding explanations, citing similarities in creation and fabrication. James claims Cattelan's piece has damaged his market, noting Cattelan's panels sell for $375,000 each versus his $40,000. Cattelan reportedly told Calvin Tomkins of The New Yorker the resemblance is 'extraordinary' but declined public comment. Gagosian disagrees with the accusations, and Bonami argues Cattelan was unaware of James's work, comparing the situation to crucifixion imagery used for centuries. However, James had previously exhibited his 'Bullet' series in New York and Milan, cities where Cattelan resides, making it unlikely he never saw it. This is not Cattelan's first plagiarism case: in 2019, he was sued over his banana taped to a wall (later acquitted), and in 2022, Daniel Druet claimed nine works were based on his wax models.