Dressed up with swastikas
March 11, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
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An ornamental dress displayed in a window at Melbourne’s RMIT city premises featured a band of swastikas around its hem.
The dress displayed in premises in Cardigan St, Carlton
The symbols were portrayed as the Nazis shaped the ancient Buddhist symbol…black within a white circle on a red background.
The band on the dress was also speckled with diamantes.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s Research Director on Antisemitism, Julie Nathan, researches and authors the ECAJ’s annual report on Antisemitism in Australia.
She told J-Wire: “The item may have been created and displayed to celebrate Holi, a Hindu holy day celebrated on 9-10 March this year. If that was the intention, it is unfortunate that the artist chose to use the colours and design that are featured on the Nazi swastika, which may convey an entirely different message. Those colours and design do not appear to be a part of Hindu tradition. This is especially concerning coming from a university.”
The president of The Jewish Community Council of Victoria Jennifer Huppert said: “I spoke to the manager of the gallery and as soon as it was brought to the attention of the manager and artist that the use of swastikas may be offensive if viewed out of context, steps were taken to ensure that the piece was not visible from the street, and signs have been posted at the entrance of the Gallery notifying the public that some of the art in the exhibition may cause offence.
The manager of the gallery has also met with the RMIT Univerisity Jewish Students’ Society and the Jewish chaplain to discuss the issue.”
J-Wire understands the artwork was created by Melbourne artist Paul Yore.
