The Kochi-Muziris Biennale was forced to briefly close down after a work inspired by The Last Supper caused outrage in India.
At the center of the controversy was the work “For The Time Being” by artist Tom Vattakuzhy. The painting depicts Mata Hari, the Dutch spy in Germany who was later executed by the Nazis, in the central position of Jesus. She is surrounded by 12 nuns. More controversially, Mata Hari is depicted with exposed breasts.
Objections were raised by the Kerala Latin Catholic Association and the Syro-Malabar Church. The Latin Catholic Council of Kerala called the work a “distorted and inappropriate relic of The Last Supper“. All of the groups asked for the removal of the painting from the location.
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is a bi-annual event, considered to be one of the most respected art events in India. This year, it opened in mid-December. Vattakuzhy’s work was not even exhibited at the main biennale but rather in a parallel exhibition called “Edam” which was being hosted away from the primary location. However, after protests from Christian groups, the biennale closed briefly. On Sunday, the Kochi Biennale announced that the concerned painting was being removed from the premises.
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Kerala is the state with the largest and oldest Christian community in India. It is home to some of the oldest churches in the world, with one of them said to be founded by Thomas, one of the original 12 Apostles of Jesus. Contributing to 18 percent of the population, Christianity – otherwise a small minority in India – weilds considerable influence in the state.
