Many local artists are not really known by the public and the Salon de Mai is one of those rare occasions where they can show their work and try to arouse some public interest in art. This year was the 24th Salon de Mai annual art exhibition. This exhibition, open to all art lovers and the public at large, of course, was on until the 4th of June. At least 60 artists displayed their works, or rather, their talent.

Hence, it looks quite legitimate that they are completely furious and speak of “ignorant uneducated people who do not know anything about art” when some people – claiming to be activists of the Voice of Hindu movement – came to the exhibition to take down a painting which they considered “indecent”.

Last week, some forty people indeed arrived at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) where the exhibition was being held, to take down Maa (Mother), the painting by Rikesh Boodun. The artist is said to be quite shocked by the behaviour of these people and seems not to fully understand why they had such a reaction. “I didn’t do this at random. When I studied art, I concentrated a lot on Hindu religion and more particularly on tantric art where nudity is sacred.” He added that the painting was aimed at highlighting the “symbol of the divine mother.”

The organisers and MGI staff are of the opinion that these people have the right to have their own opinion. However, they could have expressed it in a more correct way without turning up in the MGI and just taking the work down – hence frightening students present at the gallery at that time.

Reaction condemned

The MGI reported the case to the Moka police who have been posted at the MGI since the incident to make sure the end of the exhibition takes place in the best possible conditions. The controversial painting, after being removed by the MGI to avoid any other incident, has finally been sold for Rs 7,700.

But what appears even more reassuring is that most people present there (artists and visitors) were shocked by such a reaction and condemned it. Artists think that the incident is a proof that many people are still ignorant about art and its connections with Hindu religion. They would welcome a debate with the public to discuss the diversity of Art in order to avoid that intolerance which might kill Mauritian art in the bud.