A Greek MP from the ultra-Orthodox Niki party has been charged with a misdemeanour after vandalising four artworks at the National Gallery in Athens.
The lawmaker, Nikos Papadopoulos, removed the pieces from the wall and smashed them, claiming they were “blasphemous.”
The attack, which took place on Monday, targeted works by Paris-based Greek artist Christophoros Katsadiotis. The artworks were part of the exhibition “The Allure of the Bizarre,” running alongside Francisco Goya’s “Los Caprichos.”
Katsadiotis, known for his dark and provocative engravings, has defended his right to artistic expression.
“An artist has the right to express his or her personal point of view, to react and, in so doing, ask the questions they want to ask,” he stated.
Papadopoulos had criticised the exhibition in a social media post before entering the gallery with another individual and destroying the pieces. Witnesses reported that he forcibly removed the works titled ‘Icon 1,’ ‘Icon 16,’ ‘Icon 17,’ and ‘Saint Christopher,’ throwing them to the ground. Security detained him before police arrived.
The National Gallery strongly condemned the act, stating that “any act of vandalism, violence, and censorship that undermines the constitutionally protected freedom of artistic expression” is unacceptable. The institution released photographs of the damaged works and assured the public that restoration efforts were underway.
Katsadiotis responded to the attack by saying, “Religion often preemptively categorises believers as either loyal followers or outlaws. Those who do not conform and obey are traditionally warned that they will be judged and condemned to eternal damnation – a clear form of intimidation.”
Despite the destruction, the MP’s charges were limited to minor property damage, allowing him to avoid arrest under parliamentary immunity laws. His lawyer later claimed he had been unlawfully detained at the gallery. Papadopoulos later argued that the paintings had merely “slipped” from his hands.
Source: Ekathimerini
