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‘Distorted depiction of The Last Supper’: Christian groups object to painting at Kochi-Muziris Biennale

When contacted, Vattakuzhy said, “I do not see that the ongoing claims and allegations are based on any facts. Therefore, I do not wish to say anything about them at the moment.”

3 min readNew Delhi, ThiruvananthapuramUpdated: Jan 2, 2026 08:44 AM IST

Kochi-Muziris Biennale, The Last Supper, Distorted depiction of The Last Supper, The Last Supper depiction, Tom Vattakuzhy, Edam, christian community, Catholic community, Indian express news, current affairs

At the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. (Courtesy: Kochi Biennale Foundation)

A painting by Kerala-based artist Tom Vattakuzhy, on display at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) as part of the exhibition ‘Edam’, has come under scrutiny following allegations from Christian and Catholic groups that it hurts religious sentiments.

In a statement, public relations officer of Syro-Malabar Church, Tom Olikkarott, said, “The church strongly condemns the distorted depiction of The Last Supper, which is a holy symbol of the Christian faith. It amounts to a violation of basic respect towards religious faith. In 2016, the artwork in question was withdrawn after it was published in a magazine following the protest from the faithful. The church doubts that the exhibition of the same artwork was done intentionally to insult the Christian faith…We hope the authorities will take fair and responsible steps in this regard.’’

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The artwork has also faced objections from the Kerala Latin Catholic Association.

When contacted, Vattakuzhy said, “I do not see that the ongoing claims and allegations are based on any facts. Therefore, I do not wish to say anything about them at the moment.”

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In a statement, K M Madhusudhanan and Aishwarya Suresh, curators of the exhibition ‘Edam’, and president of Kochi-Muziris Biennale Bose Krishnamachari noted that the work in question has been created in response to a story by writer C Gopan, and depicts Mata Hari, a convicted spy, in the moments preceding her execution by the French Army. “Mata Hari was also an exotic dancer, and the use of nudity in the work is directly linked to this historical and narrative context,” the statement said. “C Gopan’s story itself is inspired by a poem written by Vailoppilli, which in turn draws from historical events. The painting by Tom Vattakuzhy is therefore part of a long-established chain of artistic and literary interpretation that moves from history to poetry, from poetry to prose, and from prose to visual representation. Within this continuum, the painting is neither isolated nor gratuitous, but firmly grounded in a recognised tradition of cultural and artistic engagement,” it said.

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“While there are inherent differences between literary and visual mediums, all the works presented in the exhibition have been carefully selected and curated after due consideration. The Kochi Biennale Foundation does not believe that the artwork in question warrants removal. Taking down the work would amount to restricting artistic expression and could be perceived as an act of censorship, which is contrary to the principles of artistic freedom and cultural dialogue that the exhibition seeks to uphold,” the statement said.

The venue displaying the artwork, although, has been temporarily shut.

Vandana Kalra

Vandana Kalra is an art critic and Deputy Associate Editor with The Indian Express. She has spent more than two decades chronicling arts, culture and everyday life, with modern and contemporary art at the heart of her practice. With a sustained engagement in the arts and a deep understanding of India’s cultural ecosystem, she is regarded as a distinctive and authoritative voice in contemporary art journalism in India. Vandana Kalra's career has unfolded in step with the shifting contours of India’s cultural landscape, from the rise of the Indian art market to the growing prominence of global biennales and fairs. Closely tracking its ebbs and surges, she reports from studios, galleries, museums and exhibition spaces and has covered major Indian and international art fairs, museum exhibitions and biennales, including the Venice Biennale, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Documenta, Islamic Arts Biennale. She has also been invited to cover landmark moments in modern Indian art, including SH Raza’s exhibition at the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the opening of the MF Husain Museum in Doha, reflecting her long engagement with the legacies of India’s modern masters. Alongside her writing, she applies a keen editorial sensibility, shaping and editing art and cultural coverage into informed, cohesive narratives. Through incisive features, interviews and critical reviews, she brings clarity to complex artistic conversations, foregrounding questions of process, patronage, craft, identity and cultural memory. The Global Art Circuit: She provides extensive coverage of major events like the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Serendipity Arts Festival, and high-profile international auctions. Artist Spotlights: She writes in-depth features on modern masters (like M.F. Husain) and contemporary performance artists (like Marina Abramović). Art and Labor: A recurring theme in her writing is how art reflects the lives of the marginalized, including migrants, farmers, and labourers. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent portfolio is dominated by the coverage of the 2025 art season in India: 1. Kochi-Muziris Biennale & Serendipity Arts Festival "At Serendipity Arts Festival, a 'Shark Tank' of sorts for art and crafts startups" (Dec 20, 2025): On how a new incubator is helping artisans pitch products to investors. "Artist Birender Yadav's work gives voice to the migrant self" (Dec 17, 2025): A profile of an artist whose decade-long practice focuses on brick kiln workers. "At Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a farmer’s son from Patiala uses his art to draw attention to Delhi’s polluted air" (Dec 16, 2025). "Kochi Biennale showstopper Marina Abramović, a pioneer in performance art" (Dec 7, 2025): An interview with the world-renowned artist on the power of reinvention. 2. M.F. Husain & Modernism "Inside the new MF Husain Museum in Qatar" (Nov 29, 2025): A three-part series on the opening of Lawh Wa Qalam in Doha, exploring how a 2008 sketch became the architectural core of the museum. "Doha opens Lawh Wa Qalam: Celebrating the modernist's global legacy" (Nov 29, 2025). 3. Art Market & Records "Frida Kahlo sets record for the most expensive work by a female artist" (Nov 21, 2025): On Kahlo's canvas The Dream (The Bed) selling for $54.7 million. "All you need to know about Klimt’s canvas that is now the most expensive modern artwork" (Nov 19, 2025). "What’s special about a $12.1 million gold toilet?" (Nov 19, 2025): A quirky look at a flushable 18-karat gold artwork. 4. Art Education & History "Art as play: How process-driven activities are changing the way children learn art in India" (Nov 23, 2025). "A glimpse of Goa's layered history at Serendipity Arts Festival" (Dec 9, 2025): Exploring historical landmarks as venues for contemporary art. Signature Beats Vandana is known for her investigative approach to the art economy, having recently written about "Who funds the Kochi-Muziris Biennale?" (Dec 11, 2025), detailing the role of "Platinum Benefactors." She also explores the spiritual and geometric aspects of art, as seen in her retrospective on artist Akkitham Narayanan and the history of the Cholamandal Artists' Village (Nov 22, 2025). ... Read More

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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