An artwork by American artist Cameron Rowland was recently removed from the facade of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris due to concerns that it may violate French laws regarding the public display of flags. The piece, titled “Replacement” (2025), involved replacing the French flag with the flag of Martinique, a French overseas region in the Caribbean. This decision was made by the contemporary art museum as part of the exhibition “ECHO DELAY REVERB: American Art, Francophone Thought.”
The museum’s decision was influenced by a memorandum from the office of the French Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, which highlighted the principle of neutrality in public service. This principle prohibits the display of symbols that advocate political, religious, or philosophical opinions on public buildings. The timing of this decision coincided with the French government’s crackdown on the display of Palestinian flags in response to President Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Despite initially planning to include Rowland’s work in the exhibition, the Palais de Tokyo ultimately decided to move the flag inside the museum after consulting with the artist and their gallery. Legal opinions sought by the museum indicated that displaying the flag on the facade would go against the principle of neutrality in public service.
Rowland’s piece sheds light on the colonization of Martinique and ongoing political movements in the region. The accompanying text of the artwork references the history of liberation struggles in Martinique, dating back to black rebels wearing red, black, and green as a rallying sign as early as 1665. The artist’s work acknowledges the long-standing efforts of black Martinicans to end French rule on the island.
Martinique, a territory of France since its colonization in 1635, has been at the center of protests against racial and social inequalities. In 2024, France deployed an anti-riot police force to the island, sparking accusations of excessive force and further fueling unrest.
Cameron Rowland, who was awarded the MacArthur “Genius” award in 2019, continues to explore themes of colonization, activism, and resistance through their thought-provoking artworks. Despite the setback at the Palais de Tokyo, Rowland’s work remains a powerful commentary on the complexities of colonial history and ongoing struggles for liberation.
