A controversial painting that drew strong protests from the Church for its resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci's iconic The Last Supper has been withdrawn from a parallel exhibition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB). The artwork, titled 'Mrudwangiyude Durmruthyu' by artist Tom Vattakkuzhy, will no longer be displayed at the Edam exhibition from Monday onwards.
Foundation Statement Cites Public Sentiment
In an official statement, the Kochi Biennale Foundation announced the decision. The Garden Convention Centre, one of the venues for the Edam exhibition, was temporarily closed following directions from authorities after petitions were filed against the artwork. A meeting chaired by the sub-collector was held to discuss the issue.
"Subsequently, a meeting was chaired by the sub-collector, where this matter was discussed. Following this, the curator of Edam and the artist concerned decided to withdraw the painting from the exhibition, respecting public sentiments and in the interest of the common good," the foundation stated. It added that while the foundation stands for artistic freedom, it respects the decision, and the venue has now reopened to the public.
Artwork's Content and the Backlash
The painting was originally created to accompany a review of the play Mrudwangiyude Durmruthyu by C Gopan. It depicts the night before the execution of the famed dancer and alleged spy Mata Hari. The scene shows her last wish—to dance and be remembered as a dancer—in the company of a few nuns. The composition features a half-naked dancer flanked by 12 nuns, an arrangement strikingly similar to Da Vinci's The Last Supper.
This visual parallel triggered a barrage of criticism from the Syro-Malabar Church. The Church argued that "presentations that mock religious beliefs and distort sacred symbols, thereby hurting the sentiments of believers, cannot be justified in the name of creative freedom."
Artist's Defense and Intellectuals' Disappointment
Artist Tom Vattakkuzhy defended his work, stating he views The Last Supper primarily as a masterpiece of art. He emphasized that the context of his painting is entirely different, as it was created for a specific play. He argued that identifying it solely as The Last Supper based on compositional elements is an "overreading."
Vattakkuzhy explained that the painting is a compassionate look at Mata Hari, whom he sees as a misunderstood figure and a scapegoat for French military failures during World War I, a victim of patriarchal atrocities.
Writer-critic M N Karassery expressed deep disappointment over the painting's removal. He called the artwork a "masterpiece" and stated that it is the government's duty to protect artistic expression and prevent law-and-order issues from stifling it. "It is the responsibility of the state govt and the home department to say that such an objection is not right," Karassery said, lamenting the influence of "vote bank" politics.
The Edam exhibition itself, which runs parallel to the main Kochi-Muziris Biennale, was conceived in 2022 to extend the platform for artists from Kerala, making the incident a significant moment in the local art scene's dialogue with society and authority.
