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Artwork removed from National Portrait Gallery after row over Churchill’s role in Bengal famine
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Artwork removed from National Portrait Gallery after row over Churchill’s role in Bengal famine

The Guardian · Jun 23, 2026, 8:30 AM · Also reported by 2 other sources

Key takeaways

  • Helen Cammock, a joint winner of the Turner prize in 2019, said ‘enquiry and challenge’ were core parts of an artist’s work.
  • Prefer the Guardian on GoogleAn artwork by a Turner prize-winning artist has been removed from the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) after a row about the role Winston Churchill played in the 1943 Bengal famine.
  • The Persistence video installation by Helen Cammock was taken down on Monday after a week of criticism as pressure mounted on the gallery.

Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.

Helen Cammock, a joint winner of the Turner prize in 2019, said ‘enquiry and challenge’ were core parts of an artist’s work. Photograph: Sebastiano Luciano View image in fullscreen Helen Cammock, a joint winner of the Turner prize in 2019, said ‘enquiry and challenge’ were core parts of an artist’s work. Photograph: Sebastiano Luciano National Portrait Gallery Artwork removed from National Portrait Gallery after row over Churchill’s role in Bengal famine Turner prize winner Helen Cammock withdraws piece after 50 peers criticise claim former PM ‘starved people’

Prefer the Guardian on GoogleAn artwork by a Turner prize-winning artist has been removed from the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) after a row about the role Winston Churchill played in the 1943 Bengal famine.

The Persistence video installation by Helen Cammock was taken down on Monday after a week of criticism as pressure mounted on the gallery.

Article preview — originally published by The Guardian. Full story at the source.
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