International artist’s work at Kochi’s Durbar Hall Art Gallery vandalised
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Photo: Instagram
Kochi: Police have begun investigating an incident at Kochi’s Durbar Hall Art Gallery, where an artwork by Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar was allegedly destroyed—a move the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi has condemned as a clear display of intolerance.
The vandalism reportedly took place around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, when local sculptor P.H. Hochimin and his associate, Sudhamshu, entered the gallery, damaged the artwork, and streamed the act live on Facebook.
The piece, a linocut print titled Go Eat Your Dad, was part of Estranged Geographies, an international exhibition organised jointly by the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Akademi.
According to some artists, what appeared to provoke the attackers was the Malayalam translation of the artwork’s title and text, which they claimed contained vulgar and offensive language unfit for public viewing. Members of this group had been objecting to the work since the exhibition opened on October 18, accusing it of being obscene and arguing that the translated title and phrases printed on the artwork amounted to public abuse, TNIE reported.
However, the artist’s note accompanying the piece clarified that it was intended as a response to racist, nationalist, and xenophobic abuse that Benammar had personally faced from far-right groups in Norway, both online and in person.
Benammar, whose works have been shown internationally, has previously encountered criticism for her politically charged themes but has not experienced acts of vandalism before.
Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Chairperson Murali Cheeroth described the incident as a violent act rather than a protest, emphasising that artistic disagreements should spark discussion rather than destruction. He said a police complaint has been filed and the extent of the damage is being evaluated.
The exhibition, curated by Anushka Rajendran and Damian Christinger, includes works by seven international artists examining questions of identity, displacement, and belonging.