An art exhibition in Brussels has sparked political outrage after featuring works that depict leading Belgian politicians alongside Nazi and antisemitic imagery, prompting criticism over the use of public funds to support the exhibition.
The exhibition, hosted at Atelier 34zero in Jette, one of Brussels’ 19 municipalities, showcases works by Belgian artist ENCQ. Before its official opening, images of several artworks circulated online, triggering a heated public debate.
Among the most controversial pieces is one portraying Belgian Defence Minister Théo Francken with a swastika. Another depicts Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of the liberal Reformist Movement (MR) party, standing before a merged American-Israeli flag—a visual motif critics argue invokes antisemitic tropes linking Jewish identity, Israel, and political power.
The controversy intensified after Anna Hovsepyan, a municipal councillor in Jette, revealed that the non-profit organisation behind the exhibition had received €30,000 in public funding.
While emphasising her support for freedom of artistic expression, Hovsepyan questioned whether taxpayers should finance works employing Nazi symbolism.
“I fully defend freedom of expression. But taxpayers’ money should not be used to finance works that use such shocking imagery to represent political figures.”
She added that using symbols associated with Nazism to depict politicians crossed “a red line.”
“The normalisation of these images is not culture and should never be financed with citizens’ taxes.”
In response, Atelier 34zero defended the exhibition, stating that it “stands by its choices.”
The museum described ENCQ’s work as a satirical critique of the political class rather than an attack on any single party. According to the institution, the exhibition also includes portrayals of other prominent Belgian politicians, including Prime Minister Bart De Wever and former Prime Minister Charles Michel.
Museum officials argued that the provocative imagery is intended as political commentary and falls within the tradition of critical contemporary art.
