Thu Oct 23 13:14:37 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article:
Summary:
An Algerian-French artist, Hanan Benammar, whose work is exhibited at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi, India, has condemned the vandalism of six of her pieces by a local artist, P.H. Hochimin, who claimed they contained verbal obscenities. Benammar expressed concern for artistic freedom and safety. The Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, which co-organized the exhibition, will pursue legal action against Hochimin. Benammar will keep the damaged works on display alongside security footage of the vandalism. The exhibition featuring international and local artists will continue until November 15.
News Article:
Art Vandalism Sparks Outrage in Kochi, India
KOCHI, India – October 23, 2025 – An act of vandalism at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi has ignited a debate about artistic freedom and censorship, prompting strong reactions from the art community and political figures. Six works by Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar were destroyed by P.H. Hochimin, an artist from Kottayam, who alleged the pieces contained verbal obscenities.
Benammar, based in Oslo, Norway, condemned the incident as “violence in an art space,” emphasizing the importance of preserving spaces for free expression, especially in challenging times. She expressed disappointment that a fellow artist resorted to destruction instead of discussion. Her artwork “ironically was a response to several acts of silencing and tone policing and, at times, censorship I experienced as an artist.”
The Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, co-organizer of the exhibition “Estranged Geographies,” is taking legal action against Hochimin. Chairman Murali Cheeroth refuted the obscenity claims, stating the works featured criticisms Benammar received, translated into Malayalam and written in her own hand. The Akademi also plans to report the incident to the Norwegian government and Embassy.
Benammar has decided to leave the vandalized artworks on display, accompanied by CCTV footage of the act.
M.A. Baby, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], denounced the vandalism as shocking and unacceptable, calling it an irresponsible publicity stunt.
The exhibition, showcasing artists from France, Norway, Switzerland, and Kerala, will continue until November 15. The incident has raised questions about the boundaries of artistic expression and the appropriate channels for addressing concerns within the art world.
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