Several works by Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar were vandalised allegedly by two other artists during an ongoing exhibition at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kerala’s Kochi on Wednesday evening, The Indian Express reported.

Kochi-based sculptor PH Hochimin and his associate Sudamshu alleged that Benammar’s works were obscene and destroyed several linocut graphic prints around 6.30 pm on Wednesday, just as the gallery was closing.

Only two people were present in the premises at the time of the vandalism, the newspaper reported.

The artworks were part of an international exhibition that opened on October 18, titled “Estranged Geographies”. It is jointly organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, and curated by Anushka Rajendran and Damian Christinger.

The vandalism was reportedly live-streamed on Facebook, The New Indian Express reported.

The vandalism followed objections from a section of Kerala-based artists who claimed that Benammar’s work “Go Eat Your Dad” – a series of insults printed on linocuts – used “crude and offensive” language in its Malayalam translation, The New Indian Express reported.

Bennamar’s note that accompanied the artwork said the work sought to highlight racist, nationalist and xenophobic remarks that far-right groups in Norway had directed at her, The Hindu reported.

In response to the incident, Bennamar said: “The offended got outraged. Big win for the artist.”

Murali Cheeroth, chairperson of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, condemned the incident, describing it as “an attack on artistic freedom”, The Indian Express reported.

“The attack was meant to disrupt the state’s peaceful landscape,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.

Cheeroth added that there was no obscenity in the artworks, calling the allegations “a baseless campaign”.

He confirmed that the Akademi has filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police, while the artist is expected to submit a separate complaint.

The artworks were part of an exhibition featuring artists from France, Norway, Switzerland and Kerala, and will continue until November 15.

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