Works by Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar that were reportedly vandalised during an ongoing exhibition at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi on Wednesday (October 22, 2025).
Works by an international artist displayed at an ongoing exhibition jointly organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery were allegedly vandalised by a group led by a local artist on Wednesday (October 22, 2025) evening.
Six works by Hanan Benammar, an Algerian-French artist based in Oslo, Norway, featured in the exhibition ‘Estranged Geographies’, curated by Anushka Rajendran and Damian Christinger, were reportedly vandalised by P.H. Hochimin and his associates. Reportedly, the act of vandalism was live-streamed through a Facebook account.
A section of local artists has raised objections since the exhibition opened on October 18, claiming that Ms. Benammar’s works were obscene, and that the Malayalam translations of her work “Go Eat Your Dad – insults printed on linocuts and displayed alongside the artwork – amounted to abuse. According to the description accompanying the work, the artist aimed to highlight racist, nationalist and xenophobic remarks directed at her both online and offline by far-right factions in Norway. Reportedly, Ms. Benammar has faced similar backlash at other venues, though not necessarily acts of vandalism.
Murali Cheeroth, Chairman of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, condemned the incident, describing it as an expression of intolerance. “Disagreements can be voiced, but not through acts of vandalism. The damaged works have monetary value, which is yet to be assessed. The Akademi has filed a petition with the Kochi City police, and the artist will submit a separate petition on Thursday,” he said.
The exhibition, which features works by artists from France, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as Kerala, will continue until November 15.
Published – October 23, 2025 12:16 am IST
