Fury over 'antisemitic' art exhibition in Margate

A controversial art exhibition in Margate has sparked outrage after a Jewish visitor claimed she was 'hounded out' by an 'aggressive' artist amid accusations the display features antisemitic and Nazi imagery.

The exhibition, titled Drawings Against Genocide, has been reported to police following complaints that it depicts Jews using offensive stereotypes and inflammatory symbolism linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Witnesses described 'ugly' and 'aggressive' scenes on Saturday as tensions boiled over inside the venue, with visitors confronting the artist and others in attendance.

Critics say the artwork includes repeated use of the Star of David around figures portrayed as Israelis and members of a so-called 'Jewish lobby' - imagery widely condemned as antisemitic. 

Some attendees were also reportedly wearing 'globalise the intifada' T-shirts, a slogan often interpreted as endorsing violence against Jews.

Writer Zoe Strimpel, who attended the exhibition, shared a detailed account of the confrontation on social media, describing a deeply distressing encounter.

She wrote: 'My cheeks are red. I am shaking. I popped into an exhibition that turned out to be the insane fever dream of an artist called Matthew Collins: 'Drawings Against Genocide.'

'The exhibition is described as 'drawings… raising consciousness about hell…. Israel is the pure encapsulation of it.

'Zionism is this terror state's ruling ideology.' Shocked by the use of Nazi imagery - the room is full of the Star of David pasted around figures meant to be Israelis and the Jewish 'lobby' spewing blood, to say nothing of blonde yummy mummies wearing 'globalise the intifada' shirts, I spoke to the artist to share my reaction as a Jewish person.

'He was instantly aggressive. As soon as I started to say I was shocked and threatened by what I was seeing because it was Nazi imagery, the artist started yelling at me that I didn't mean anything I was saying.

'Anytime I tried to speak (calmly) he said: 'you don't mean any of what you said, you're just repeating 'hasbarah talking points' because 'you're defending a genocide'. On and on he yelled, in my face.

'I said: 'if I was a Black person…' but couldn't finish the sentence because: 'you're not are you?' On the Nazi ideology point he said: 'yeah. Why do you think it's there. Israel are the Nazis'.

'His breath was disgusting. The crowd began booing and closing in around me, making to shoe me out. I said: 'fine, get the Jew out' and he yelled more across the room at me, 'repeatedly jeering 'call the police, go ahead, call the police'.

'I said I would, and the community security trust, which features as a devil in his exhibition. This was met with even more jeering. 'Yeah, call the CST' was the last I heard before leaving.

'Someone snapped pictures of me while I was being shouted at. Short video shows the artist. The longer video, of our final almost surreally disgusting exchange, didn't record.'

Her post quickly drew widespread support online, with several high-profile figures condemning the exhibition.

Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman wrote: 'Disgusting.'

Michael Gove added: 'Truly terrible.'

Others echoed the outrage, with one commenter saying: 'Vile people. Disgusting display. So sorry you had to endure this.'

Ben Goldsmith wrote: 'Disgusting and wholly unsurprising.'

Author Alex Hearn also criticised the exhibition, claiming it portrays 'Jews are depicted as blood-soaked, baby eating demons, controlling the British government'.

He added: 'It literally revels in being racist.'

The row has also raised questions over the promotion of the exhibition, which is listed on a tourism website run by Thanet District Council.

Hearn said: 'Thanet District Council should be absolutely ashamed.'

The exhibition is the work of artist Matthew Collings, 70, who was present during the confrontation. 

Footage shared on social media appears to show him speaking at the event in front of a sign reading: 'Resistance until liberation.'

Both Collings and Thanet District Council have been approached for comment.