Algerian-French artist’s work vandalised at Kochi art gallery over ‘obscenity’ allegations

The exhibition, organised by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, was opened on October 18 and is slated to last for a month.

Benammar’s seven linocut graphic prints were on display at the exhibition, curated by Anushka Rajendran and Damian Christinger. Around 6.30 pm on Wednesday, Hochimin P H and Sudamshu allegedly tore away the seven prints. As the gallery was about to close, only two people were present when the alleged incident took place.

Condemning the attack, the Akademi’s chairperson, Murali Cheeroth, said they would file a complaint with the local police against the vandalism.

“The incident is an attack on artistic freedom and has outraged the art community in Kerala. The damaged work was part of a prestigious international show, which was backed by reputed cultural organisations and embassies. The attack was meant to disrupt the state’s peaceful landscape,” he said.

The Akademi chairperson said there was no obscenity, as alleged by the persons who allegedly vandalised the work. “It was a baseless campaign. Instead of raising concerns through discussion, they vandalised the gallery. If we had interfered in the stated work, it would have been depicted as censoring from the Akademi,” he said.

Apart from Benammar, the artists whose works are on display include Damien Ajavon, Elodie Pong, Mithra Kamalam, Rejani S R, Vinu V V and Yto Barrada.

According to her website, Benammar “works conceptually between geopolitical, environmental and societal issues with projects that usually unfold over a long period of time and materialise as sound and video installations, performances, music, sculpture and interventions in public space”. She also curates, organises and initiates collective endeavours and platforms as a part of her art practice.