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Art Exhibit Sparks Outrage Over 'Last Supper' Painting
1 Jan
Summary
- A painting at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale caused protests from Christian groups.
- Organizers temporarily closed the exhibition to avoid disturbances.
- The artist and curators stated the painting was misinterpreted and taken out of context.
An art exhibition at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Asia's largest contemporary art festival, faced temporary closure due to protests. Christian groups alleged that a painting by artist Tom Vattakuzhy insulted religious sentiments by misinterpreting the 'Last Supper'. Protesters demanded the artwork's immediate removal and an apology from the organizers, questioning the use of public funds for such displays.
Biennale organizers decided to close the exhibition to prevent potential law and order issues, especially during New Year festivities. They confirmed that the exhibition would reopen on Friday, emphasizing their commitment to public peace. Artist Tom Vattakuzhy defended his work, stating that interpretations of his painting online were misplaced. He explained that his art is influenced by his Christian upbringing and aims to explore empathy and human dignity, not to disrespect religious iconography.
Curators K. M. Madhusudhanan and Aishwarya Suresh further clarified that the painting was misidentified. They stated the artwork depicts Mata Hari, the Dutch dancer and spy, in her final moments. The nudity present, they argued, is linked to her historical life. The curators emphasized that the piece is part of a continuum of artistic interpretation drawing from history and literature, rather than a deliberate provocation.
