Vincent Wellens will soon be in contact with Gaston Vogel, Jeff Dieschburg's lawyer, in order to detail the demands of US-based Singaporean photographer Jingna Zhang, who claims to be a victim of plagiarism. (Photo: Maison Moderne)

Vincent Wellens will soon be in contact with Gaston Vogel, Jeff Dieschburg's lawyer, in order to detail the demands of US-based Singaporean photographer Jingna Zhang, who claims to be a victim of plagiarism. (Photo: Maison Moderne)

Accusing Luxembourg artist Jeff Dieschburg of plagiarism, Singaporean photographer Jingna Zhang wants to give priority to dialogue as a first step. She is represented by Vincent Wellens, a partner at the NautaDutilh firm.

Zhang following the exhibition of one of his paintings at the 11th Biennale of Contemporary Art in Strassen. The painting won a prize of €1,500. The photographer, who spoke out on her social networks, is now represented by Wellens at NautaDutilh in Luxembourg.

“First of all, we are going to give priority to dialogue,” said Wellens in an interview. For the moment, no complaint has been filed and the lawyer is seeking an arrangement between the two artists in order not to unnecessarily fuel the sometimes very aggressive comments on social networks.

“We will try to discuss with Jeff Dieschburg and his representative, but also with the organisation of the Strassen Biennial for Contemporary Art, which is waiting for the result of an expert opinion. Jingna Zhang was upset by the turn of events. There has been some shaming on social networks, for which my client is obviously not responsible, and we know that this can also come back to her very quickly like a boomerang, even though she has not done anything wrong,” said Wellens.

Photograph “undeniably original”

“We have strayed from the essential. My client’s work is undeniably original, it is a photograph that is known and recognised as an artistic work. Mr Dieschburg says that he was inspired by or refers to my client’s photograph, but there are copyrights. I think the first step was to ask the author’s permission,” the lawyer said.

In future discussions between the two parties, Wellens does not rule out financial compensation, but above all the withdrawal of the prize received by Dieschburg for the work at the heart of the plagiarism allegations.

“Our demands will certainly go in this direction. Jingna Zhang is concerned, like any other artist, to respect her copyright. No one likes to be copied and I think we need to educate and why not imagine that the Strassen Biennial of Contemporary Art organises a session on copyright for young and not so young artists,” said Wellens.

Dieschburg’s lawyer, Gaston Vogel, did not want to discuss the topic when contacted. The lawyer wants “to leave this young genius in peace and to stop bothering him.”

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.

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