Artist Hanna S. Stands Firm Against Right-Wing Smear Campaign
Artist Hanna S., known for her politically charged work, has faced a right-wing smear campaign, with state institutions remaining silent. Despite this, she continues to create art and receive support from various groups and politicians.
Hanna S.'s work, deeply rooted in political discourses, has drawn criticism from right-wing groups. Instead of condemning the attacks, some state and cultural institutions have remained silent, effectively siding with the attackers. This has led to the suspension of her federal art prize and impacted her career visibility.
Students at the Nuremberg Academy of Arts showed solidarity with Hanna S., but the leadership only emphasized the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'. This neutrality has been criticized as it allows the right-wing campaign to continue unchecked. Hanna S. has tried to protect her private life during this time, remaining steadfast in negotiations.
In response, various local groups have shown solidarity with Hanna S. These include antifascist groups like Antifa Munich and Rote Hilfe, as well as students, parents, and politicians. They have organized demonstrations, letter campaigns, art exhibitions, and public statements to support Hanna S. and condemn the right-wing attacks on her and other artists.
Despite the challenges faced, Hanna S. continues to create art, even while in pretrial detention. Her upcoming exhibition, 'From Within', will open on October 24th in Bonn. The ongoing support from various groups highlights the importance of standing against repression and pressure on artists who express unpopular opinions. The incident with Hanna S. serves as a reminder of the need for state and cultural institutions to actively protect and support artistic freedom and expression.
