The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) has confirmed that a sexual harassment complaint filed against artist and co-founder Bose Krishnamachari was among the reasons for his resignation from the post of President of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) and from the Board of Trustees of KBF in January 2026.
Krishnamachari helped found the Biennale in 2012 and was a co-curator of the first edition. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, widely regarded as South Asia’s most important contemporary art event, had its sixth edition opened on December 12 last year and runs until March 31.
Complaint Filed Under Special Anti-Harassment Law
Venu Vasudevan, the chairperson of the foundation said that they got the complaint in December. It went to the Internal Complaints Committee under the PoSH Act. When asked if this led to the resignation, Vasudevan said it was “one of the reasons,” The Indian Express reported.
The foundation first said Krishnamachari quit for “pressing family reasons” in a press release on January 14. But sources confirm that the woman worked under him at the Biennale. She said he called her to his apartment in Kochi and made sexual remarks and advances.
Krishnamachari Calls Claims ‘Misleading’ and Plans to Sue
Bose Krishnamachari said: “These are misleading and unsubstantiated allegations taken out of context. I am aware of the sources and the pattern of circulation. I have already instructed my lawyers to initiate legal proceedings both civil and criminal, in Mumbai and expect to lodge the same in coming days.”
Just this month, the Kochi city government named him Art, Design and Cultural Curator. Artist Jitish Kallat will now lead the foundation and help pick the next Biennale curator. The current edition, called “For the Time Being,” is curated by artist Nikhil Chopra and his group HH Art Spaces.
Biennale Keeps Going Strong
Krishnamachari had said when he quit: “After 15 years of being deeply committed and involved in building the Foundation and shaping the Biennale, from its inception as an artist-led initiative to what it is today, I felt this was the right moment to step back, for personal and family reasons, and to return more fully to my own artistic practice. The Foundation is in a strong place, and future editions are already gaining momentum, which gives me confidence and peace in making this decision.”
Past Trouble for Famous Artists Like Riyas Komu and Subodh Gupta
The Indian art world has seen this before. Kochi Biennale Co-founder Riyas Komu had cut all ties with the Biennale in 2018 after separate claims of sexual misconduct. Around the same time, top artist Subodh Gupta also faced severe sexual misconduct allegations. These cases showed the need for safer spaces in the art world and many artists spoke out about better rules to protect everyone.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a statement from Kochi Biennale Foundation Chairperson and draws from reporting by verified public sources. All allegations against the persons named remain unproven in a court of law. Abir Pothi has reported this story in the public interest, adhering to principles of fair and neutral journalism.
Contributor
