Q

Made In China: Can you root out the replica?

Put your detective hats on as we investigate a mystery at London's prestigious Dulwich Picture gallery, as orchestrated by Doug Fishbone.
Douglas Fishbone poses with an authentic portrait and a hand-painted Chinese replica. Can you tell which is which? (Stuart Leech)

Would you know a copycat painting if you saw one? 

That's the central question in Doug Fishbone's project Made In China. The artist joins Shad to explain why he planted an imitation of an old masters' portrait, ordered from Chinese replica factory, in the prestigious Dulwich Picture Gallery. Noting that very few people — seasoned art critics included — were able to spot the phoney, Fishbone critically reflects on the cultural value of authenticity. 

q: If a painting is beautiful or interesting, do you care about its history and origin? How important is authenticity to the art viewing experience?