An art exhibition by painter George Gavriel was removed from the Blue Iris Gallery in Paphos after the gallery’s owner received death threats, the painter said on Sunday.
The artist stated he withdrew the works, which often address political and religious themes, because the owner was subject to an escalating “climate of intimidation and terrorism,” according to a public statement by Gavriel.
The threats began on Thursday following a social media post regarding the exhibition by a candidate for the far-right ELAM party in Paphos, and they intensified through Saturday, according to the artist.
The police are reportedly aware of the situation and the identities of those issuing the threats, though the gallery owner chose not to file a formal complaint.
Gavriel stated he considered it right to remove the exhibition straight away to protect the owner.
The painter, whose art has previously seen him face disciplinary investigations by the Ministry of Education for being “derogatory of religion”, also noted that on Saturday, three young people had briefly entered the gallery’s basement and taken down some pieces, which were later put back in place.
The painter concluded his post by saying: “We live in difficult times where artists exhibit under police guard, and take down their works through extortion and terrorism”.
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Paphos art exhibition cancelled after parties lash out over religious imagery