Flemish Parliament does not remove placard with explanation of artwork by Jan Fabre

Let’s go back to the end of April 2022. Artist and theater maker Jan Fabre was then sentenced to 18 months in prison with a suspension for violence, bullying and unwanted sexual behavior at work and the assault of a woman. Because much of his visual art can be seen in public spaces, there was discussion about whether the work can remain there or not.

This was also the case for Fabre’s artwork with green scarabs in the Column Hall of the Flemish Parliament. The Advanced Bureau then decided to let the artwork hang, but the Parliament’s Art Committee was instructed to provide “an explanation of the artwork and the artist”. That interpretation was then put on a board with an explanation of the work.

Because the 18 months have now been completed, Fabre has asked parliament through his lawyer to remove the placard with an explanation. But parliament does not respond to that. According to various sources, at the Extended Office today/Monday it was decided to keep the sign, but to delete a few words in the last sentence (more specifically “with this meaning”) in order to reduce the link between the work of art itself and the previous conviction. of the artist.