03.11.2026 19:41
The works prepared by Canan Tolon, one of the recognized names in contemporary art, for her exhibition in the UK were held up at customs. While the sculptures deemed "suspicious" by customs officers were smashed with sledgehammers, no official statement has yet been made about the incident.
Canan Tolon, one of the well-known names in contemporary sculpture, sent sculptures to the UK for her exhibition to be held in London, but they were found "suspicious" at customs and smashed with a sledgehammer. Tolon, who announced the scandal she experienced on her social media account, stated that her works were destroyed and the metal armatures used were confiscated.
"THEY SMASHED MY SCULPTURES THAT WERE GOING TO THE EXHIBITION WITH A SLEDGEHAMMER"
Artist Canan Tolon stated that the works she prepared for her exhibition in London were damaged by UK customs officials. Reacting to what happened, Tolon used the following statements in her post:
"They smashed my sculptures that were going to my exhibition in London at customs with a sledgehammer because they were SUSPICIOUS. The metal armatures were also confiscated as required by procedure."
THE REASON HAS NOT YET BEEN EXPLAINED
According to Tolon's statement, in addition to the destruction of the works, the metal armatures inside them were also confiscated, citing procedure as the reason. However, no official statement has yet been made as to the concrete reason why the sculptures were classified as suspicious and under which legislation the intervention was carried out.
RECIPIENT OF THE 25TH VEHBİ KOÇ AWARD
Canan Tolon, who continues her work in Türkiye and the US, is among the prominent representatives of contemporary art with her works exploring themes of migration, destruction, time, and memory. The artist was most recently awarded the 25th Vehbi Koç Award.