Library ordered to remove portraits of Belgian serial killers

The town council of Lebbeke, in East Flanders, has asked its local library to remove a series of portraits that make up an art exhibition titled Belgium's Got Talent. The illustrations include portraits of infamous Belgian serial killers and rapists such as Marc Dutroux, Ronald Janssen and Kim De Gelder.

The murders committed seven years ago by De Gelder took place in a day care centre located just three kilometers from the library. The portrait of De Gelder was therefore the first to be removed, on 12 January, after the relatives of the victims complained, calling it “incomprehensible” that such work was ever allowed to be displayed in the library. The portraits of Dutroux and Janssen were removed on Monday.

Belgian artist Sam De Grote, who made the portraits, says he had no intention of hurting anyone with his work. His aim was to form a critique of the commotion created by the media following the incidents.