An Outrageous Concept
In April 1998, Alex Chappel and journalist David C. West conceived a provocative art hoax that duped the British media. Titled “Fuckart & Pimp,” the show promised visitors a chance to buy art by Canadian artist Angela Marshall—on the condition they perform a sexual act with her.
Media Frenzy
The press release gained immediate traction, and on April 17, reporters from major UK tabloids and ITN swarmed the Decima gallery in London. The staged “exhibition” featured Angela Marshall in a leopard-print leotard, performing a pantomime of copulation under dim red lighting. An actor played a buyer, leaving with a painting labeled “Media Cunts.”
Outrage and Obscenity Claims
Southwark Council issued a letter warning the gallery of legal risks for obscenity, citing an undercover officer’s claim of witnessing lewd acts. This fueled the scandal further, with newspapers reporting on the bizarre event.
The Hoax Revealed
The next day, while most papers debated the show’s authenticity, The Daily Telegraph exposed it as a hoax. The organizers admitted their intent was to satirize contemporary art and media sensationalism. The staged event ended abruptly, leaving a lasting mark on art history and media gullibility.