pink greek flag made of bed sheets by artist georgia lale addresses domestic violence

Georgia Lale’s Pink Flag Sparks Tumultuous Reaction in Greece

New York-based visual artist Georgia Lale unveils Flag and Neighborhood Guilt, two pieces that address the pressing concerns of domestic violence in Greece. Responding to the alarming increase of femicides in recent years, Lale opted for a poignant reinterpretation of the Greek flag in pink, as well as a quilt, both made with bed sheets donated by women residing in the country. This symbolic choice resonates with the fact that most femicide victims meet their tragic fate within the confines of their own homes, and on their beds.

The bold artwork was revealed as part of the Carte Blanche Project, a pilot artist showcase initiative organized by the Consulate General of Greece in New York. Displayed within the Consulate, the pink flag underscored the importance of raising awareness about violent crimes against Greek women. However, a few days following the unveiling, the piece was abruptly taken down at the request of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.

image courtesy of Georgia Lale via @geeorgia_lale_studio

Neighborhood Guilt: Unveiling the Tragedy of greek Femicide

Crafted from bed sheets donated by Greek women, Georgia Lale’s Neighborhood Guilt (find more here) carries a profound message.‘Those women have seemingly few things in common but they have all laid down on those bed sheets desperate and scared,’ Lale explains.

‘Home is not a shelter for people that live in an abusive environment. To the contrary, this is where they are most vulnerable, lonely and exposed. The majority of victims of femicide are murdered in their houses and on their beds. Their lives end on the bed that they make every morning. Their bed sheets soak up their blood. Similar bed sheets with those that soak up our tears, that soak up our dreams.’ she adds.

image courtesy of Consulate General of Greece in New York

The controversy over the artwork unfolded when a right-wing party raised objections in Parliament. Holding a photograph of the piece, the party’s leader questioned the choice of presenting the national flag in pink, stating, ‘Is it possible to make fun of our most sacred national symbol?’ Emphasizing the traditional blue and white colors, he remarked, ‘Our flag only changes color when dyed red by the blood of our heroes.’ Following his remarks, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis ordered the removal of the artwork.

In response, Georgia Lale took to social media, modifying her Instagram bio with a short yet impactful statement. ‘I’m saddened that my work was misinterpreted. Victims of femicide are heroes of the fight for freedom and life in Greece and internationally,’ she wrote.

At the same time, numerous voices, including main opposition leader Stefanos Kasselakis, have swiftly rallied behind Lale’s work. Kasselakis, sharing a picture of David Hammon’s African American Flag (1990) on Twitter, asserted that art ‘has the right to ‘play’ even with the colors of national symbols when it wants to convey a message – from its opposition to racism to domestic violence’. Additionally, the Onassis Foundation, a leading cultural hub in Athens, expressed solidarity with the artist on Instagram by posting a carousel featuring artworks by Greek and international artists, all offering reinterpretations of various flags.