London Gallery Scraps Matthew Collings Exhibition Following Outcry Over ‘Grotesque’ Antisemitic Tropes

A Wandsworth gallery canceled Matthew Collings' "Drawings Against Genocide" show after legal warnings that the "grotesque" content promoted antisemitism.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 10:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) and Wandsworth Local News.

Legal Intervention Halts Wandsworth Showcase

The planned opening of Matthew Collings' latest exhibition, "Drawings Against Genocide," has been abruptly terminated following a formal intervention by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). The event, which was scheduled to run from May 16 to 24 at the Delta House Gallery in southwest London, became the center of a firestorm as previews of the artwork began to circulate in British media. Legal experts cautioned the gallery owners that hosting the material could potentially violate the Public Order Act 1986, which prohibits the display of imagery intended to stir up religious or racial hatred.

Imagery Described as ‘Dripping with Jew-Hate’

Initial reviews and descriptions of the artwork provided by advocacy groups painted a stark picture of the exhibition's themes. Critics alleged that the drawings were "dripping with Jew-hate," featuring depictions that relied on centuries-old antisemitic narratives and conspiracy theories. Specific concerns were raised regarding pieces that reportedly compared modern Israeli military actions to those of Nazi Germany, a comparison that falls under the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The "grotesque" nature of the caricatures was cited as a primary reason for the rapid escalation of public and legal pressure.

Gallery Cites Lack of Internal Consultation

In a swift response to the looming controversy, the management of Delta House Gallery announced that the exhibition would be struck from their calendar. In a public statement, the owners clarified that the event had been organized and booked without proper consultation with the gallery’s senior leadership. They emphasized that the facility seeks to be an inclusive space for artistic expression but acknowledged the legal and reputational risks associated with the specific content highlighted by UKLFI. The decision to cancel was framed as a necessary step to maintain the gallery’s standing within the Wandsworth community.