Archive · 26 Oct 2025
Artist Vandalizes Algerian-French Artist's Work at Kerala Gallery
Imagine an art gallery where an artist named Hanan Benammar showed her artwork.
Another artist, PH Hochiman, didn't like it and ripped it up, claiming it was offensive.
Hanan's artwork was meant to be a humorous response to how people speak.
The gallery and others are upset and say it's wrong to destroy art.
The police are involved and are investigating the incident.
People are worried about violence in art spaces and the freedom to express yourself through art.
Hanan Benammar's artwork was vandalized by PH Hochiman at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi.
Hochiman tore down six linocut works titled "Go Eat Your Dad".
Hochiman stated he did not regret his actions, calling the artwork obscene.
Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi condemned the incident and filed a police complaint.
SAHMAT warned that such attacks on cultural expression have become increasingly normalised.
- Who
- Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar's work was vandalized by Kerala-based artist PH Hochiman.
- What
- Hochiman tore down six linocut works by Benammar.
- When
- The vandalism occurred on Wednesday.
- Where
- Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi, Kerala.
- Why
- Hochiman claimed the artwork was obscene and anti-Dalit and anti-women.
Artistic Freedom and Expression
Obscenity and Offense
Artwork's Nature
Artistic Freedom and Expression
Artwork reflects on issues of silencing, moral policing, and censorship.
Obscenity and Offense
The work was anti-Dalit and anti-women, which I cannot accept as an artist.
Action
Artistic Freedom and Expression
Condemns act of violence in an art space; freedom of expression is important.
Obscenity and Offense
No regrets about destroying the artwork, deemed it as abusive language.
- Artist Whose Work Vandalized
- Hanan Benammar
- Vandal
- PH Hochiman
- Location of Incident
- Durbar Hall Art Gallery, Kochi, Kerala
- Artwork Title
- "Go Eat Your Dad"
- Charges Filed
- Criminal trespass and mischief
- Estimated Loss
- Rs 10 lakh