Digital Editions
Newsletters
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
#metoo
news

Riyas Komu, co-founder of Kerala's Kochi-Muziris Biennale, steps down after #MeToo allegations

Accusations were posted on an Instagram account that claims to uncover abuses of power in the Indian art world

Gareth Harris
22 October 2018
Share
Riyas Komu Photo: Wikimedia

Riyas Komu Photo: Wikimedia

The co-founder of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in Kerala, Riyas Komu, has stepped down from his post as biennial secretary following allegations of sexual harassment. The latest #MeToo accusation was published on the Instagram account Scene and Herd, which in its biography section is described as "Cutting through BS in the Indian Art world, one predator and power play, at a time".

The woman says on Instagram how she met Komu in Mumbai during a studio visit; he invited her to Kochi to discuss a project further. “He offered to drop me to my hotel… He made his way into the room first and immediately pushed me against the wall. He began kissing me and feeling me up while I struggled to even process what the hell was going on,” she writes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Scene and Herd (@herdsceneand)

Komu has issued a response to the allegations on Instagram, saying that he supports the #MeToo movement. “I’m deeply upset that this incident has been understood and presented in this manner. However, as the person has expressed hurt, I would like to offer my apologies and I am opening myself to the possibility of a conversation,” he adds.

The managing committee of the Kochi Biennale foundation says that though the foundation has received no formal complaint, it is committed to ensuring zero tolerance to any harassment or misconduct, and has set up a committee to investigate the allegations. “Riyas Komu has stepped down from all management positions connected to the Biennale until the matter is resolved,” it said in a statement.

Several female employees of the Kochi Biennale foundation have also taken to Instagram, saying that “we believe the accounts of sexual harassment that have recently surfaced on social media against those associated with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale… we are listening.” The statement stresses that this is not the official stance of the foundation.

The fourth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, which is organised by the artist Anita Dube, is due to launch 12 December.

#metooAppointments & departuresIndiaSexual harassmentKochi Biennale
Share

Related content

The Buck stopped hereblog
7 November 2018

Victoria Sin plumbs watery depths for Gasworks fundraiser in London

Louisa Buck
Three to seereview
3 April 2020

Three arty things to do at home this weekend

From the Getty's challenge to re-create masterpieces using three items to Firstsite’s activity pack with Antony Gormley and Gillian Wearing

Gareth Harris
The Year in Review 2019review
31 December 2019

Ten memes that define the absurdity of the art world in 2019

From Maurizio Cattelan’s $120k banana to dedicated viral accounts, here are the images that tickled us this year

Dorian Batycka
Climate changenews
11 December 2018

Olafur Eliasson's latest work is melting away on the bank of the Thames in London

Public sculpture unveiled to coincide with the COP24 climate summit in Poland

Ben Luke
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Instagram
Bluesky
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
© The Art Newspaper