Art Exhibition Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Antisemitic and Nazi Imagery
A controversial art exhibition in Margate has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with a Jewish visitor alleging she was subjected to aggressive behaviour and intimidation by the artist amid claims the display features deeply offensive antisemitic and Nazi-inspired imagery. The exhibition, provocatively titled Drawings Against Genocide, has reportedly been flagged to the police following numerous complaints that its content employs harmful stereotypes and inflammatory symbolism directly linked to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Eyewitness accounts from Saturday describe a tense and “ugly” atmosphere within the venue, where confrontations reportedly erupted between visitors and the artist, Matthew Collings, as well as other attendees. Critics argue that the artwork prominently features the Star of David interwoven with depictions of Israelis and individuals associated with a so-called “Jewish lobby,” imagery that has long been condemned as antisemitic. Adding to the controversy, some individuals present were reportedly seen wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “globalise the intifada,” a phrase frequently interpreted as an endorsement of violence against Jewish people.
A Visitor’s Account of Confrontation
Zoe Strimpel, a writer who attended the exhibition, detailed her deeply disturbing experience on social media, painting a vivid picture of the confrontation. She described her initial visit to the exhibition as an encounter with what she termed the “insane fever dream of an artist called Matthew Collins.”
Strimpel elaborated on the exhibition’s stated aims, noting it was described as “drawings… raising consciousness about hell…. Israel is the pure encapsulation of it. Zionism is this terror state’s ruling ideology.”
She expressed shock at the pervasive use of what she perceived as Nazi imagery. “The room is full of the Star of David pasted around figures meant to be Israelis and the Jewish ‘lobby’ spewing blood,” she wrote, also mentioning “blonde yummy mummies wearing ‘globalise the intifada’ shirts.” Strimpel stated that, as a Jewish person, she approached the artist to express her reaction to the artwork.
According to her account, the artist immediately became aggressive. “As soon as I started to say I was shocked and threatened by what I was seeing because it was Nazi imagery, the artist started yelling at me that I didn’t mean anything I was saying,” she recounted. She further alleged that whenever she attempted to speak calmly, Collings would retort, “you don’t mean any of what you said, you’re just repeating ‘hasbarah talking points’ because ‘you’re defending a genocide’.” Strimpel stated he continued to yell at her “in my face.”
When she attempted to draw a parallel, saying, “if I was a Black person…”, she was cut off with the response, “you’re not are you?” Regarding the Nazi ideology, Collings allegedly stated, “yeah. Why do you think it’s there. Israel are the Nazis.”
Strimpel described the artist’s breath as “disgusting.” She claims the crowd then began to “booing and closing in around me, making to shoe me out.” In response to being pressured to leave, she stated, “fine, get the Jew out,” to which the artist allegedly yelled more across the room, “repeatedly jeering ‘call the police, go ahead, call the police’.”
She informed him she would, mentioning the involvement of the Community Security Trust (CST), an organisation she noted is depicted as a devil in his exhibition. This, she claims, was met with further jeering, with the last words she heard being, “‘Yeah, call the CST’ before leaving.” Strimpel also indicated that while someone took pictures of her during the confrontation, a longer video capturing the “surreally disgusting exchange” did not record.
Widespread Condemnation and Questions Over Promotion
Strimpel’s detailed post garnered significant support online, with several prominent figures publicly denouncing the exhibition. Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman labelled the situation “Disgusting,” while Michael Gove described it as “Truly terrible.” Others echoed the sentiment, with one commenter expressing sympathy: “Vile people. Disgusting display. So sorry you had to endure this.” Ben Goldsmith commented, “Disgusting and wholly unsurprising.”
Author Alex Hearn also voiced his criticism, asserting that the exhibition portrays “Jews are depicted as blood-soaked, baby eating demons, controlling the British government.” He concluded that it “literally revels in being racist.”
The controversy has also cast a shadow over the exhibition’s promotion. It has been listed on a tourism website managed by Thanet District Council, prompting Hearn to state, “Thanet District Council should be absolutely ashamed.”
Matthew Collings, the 70-year-old artist behind the exhibition, was reportedly present during the confrontation. Footage circulated on social media appears to show him speaking at the event in front of a banner that reads, “Resistance until liberation.”
Both Matthew Collings and Thanet District Council have been approached for comment regarding the allegations and the exhibition’s content.
