In a disturbing incident that has rocked the art world, Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar’s linocut print, Go Eat Your Dad, was vandalized at the ‘Estranged Geographies’ exhibition in Kochi’s Durbar Hall Art Gallery. The Oslo-based artist, speaking out a day after the attack, labeled it “an act of violence against expression” and called for urgent measures to ensure artists’ safety. The vandalism, allegedly carried out by local sculptor P H Hochimin and his associate Sudhamshu, has ignited a fierce debate over artistic freedom and rising intolerance in Kerala.

Benammar, one of ten artists honored by the Norwegian government, created the artwork as a bold response to censorship and silencing in her practice. “This piece was a statement against tone policing and attempts to suppress my voice. Its targeting speaks volumes about the challenging times we face,” she said on Thursday, expressing gratitude to the art community for their solidarity. The artwork, valued at approximately Rs 10 lakh, was part of a prestigious exhibition curated by Anushka Rajendran and Damian Christinger, organized by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi and the Department of Cultural Affairs.

The accused, Hochimin, admitted to removing “seven posters” from the display, claiming the Malayalam translation of the artwork’s title was “obscene” and “misogynistic,” offending local sensibilities. “If her work is art, then my act of protest is also art,” he told reporters, denying any intent to destroy the piece. However, Shibu, the nightwatchman, contradicted this, stating, “They entered around 7pm, tore down the artwork, and left within minutes.” CCTV footage, despite a blind spot inside, captured the suspects damaging the piece from an external angle, according to exhibition in-charge Aji Kumar.

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The Kerala Lalithakala Akademi condemned the act, with chairperson Murali Cheeroth emphasizing that dissent must be expressed democratically, not through vandalism. “This is a grave display of intolerance. Hanan’s work, curated by experts and backed by an international grant, deserves respect,” he said, noting that the destruction of such a valuable piece could lead to up to five years’ imprisonment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A case has been registered against the perpetrators for criminal trespass and mischief.

The incident has sparked broader conversations about the safety of provocative art in public spaces. The Akademi has called for enhanced protections for artists and their works, urging a public dialogue on balancing creative freedom with cultural sensitivities. As the art community rallies behind Benammar, the vandalism underscores the fragile state of artistic expression in an increasingly polarized environment.

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