Erdogan's Paintings with Bananas in the Buttocks Exhibit in Germany

BERLIN - The painting titled "Turkish Dictator" tangible image of President Tayyip Erdogan with bananas in the butt triggered the excitement of an art exhibition in Germany. The painting was eventually removed from Art Karlsruhe's gallery to avoid trouble. 

Gallerist Michael Oess, in charge of the art exhibition, said that he has lowered Thomas Baumgaertel's provocative painting to avoid further problems. Baumgaertel is a leading graffiti artist in Cologne known for its spray-painted banana works. 

The controversial painting is part of a series of paintings on Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un and Erdogan. "I have certain responsibilities towards other visitors," Oess told the German news agency DPA. The painting became a media spotlight after a Turkish journalist recorded the painting with a cell phone and spread the video to the public. 

Some women also allegedly voiced their anxiety because the painting was based on a Turkish flag that could trigger the insulting perception of the state symbol. The painting then sold for 5,900 Euros. Baumgartel, furious at the decision to remove his painting from the art exhibition without notice. He finally broke with the gallery. 

"It is not true that all those who tuck their tails between their legs as populists destroy artistic freedom and freedom of expression," the artist told DPA, quoted on Sunday (25/2/2018). The Turkish newspaper, Daily Sabah, reported on the painting the Turkish public viewed as a "racist and vulgar" attack against President Erdogan. In Germany there are about 3 million Turkish citizens living. 

In 2016, Erdogan filed a criminal suit against German comedian and TV host, Jan Boehmermann, related satire poems about the Turkish president. The poem entitled "Defamatory Poem" features sexual references and allegations that Erdogan oppresses Turkish minorities like Kurds and Christians. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus claimed the comedian poem insulted 78 million Turks by labeling it a "serious crime against humanity".