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

An artwork by Turner prize winner Helen Cammock was removed from the National Portrait Gallery on Monday, June 23, 2026, following a dispute over Winston Churchill's role in the 1943 Bengal famine. The video installation, titled The Persistence, had been on display for a week before its removal amid criticism from approximately 50 peers of the artist. These critics challenged the artwork's assertion that Churchill "starved people." The National Portrait Gallery confirmed the removal, stating that the decision was made after a period of intense pressure and discussion. Cammock, who won the Turner Prize in 2019 for her work exploring themes of protest, identity, and gender, had her piece included in an exhibition at the gallery. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about historical interpretation and the representation of controversial figures in art institutions. The gallery has not yet announced plans for the space previously occupied by The Persistence. This incident raises questions about curatorial decisions and the reception of politically charged art.