A group of Chinese museum visitors has filed a formal complaint against Singapore-based artist Heman Chong, accusing him of cyber harassment. The visitors allege that Chong reposted their selfies from his exhibition "The Endless Summer" at UCCA Dune on his Instagram account with captions that mocked them for narcissism and appropriating his work. The complaint cites China's portrait rights law, which prohibits using recognizable images of individuals without consent, and also accuses Chong of gender-based targeting for only reposting images of women. The visitors demand a formal apology from Chong and joint action from UCCA Dune and the Aranya resort.
This incident matters because it highlights a growing tension between artists and audiences in the age of social media, where visitor-generated content can clash with an artist's intent or privacy expectations. The case also raises questions about institutional responsibility, as UCCA Dune and Aranya are accused of failing to protect visitors. The outcome could set a precedent for how museums and artists handle visitor photography and online conduct, especially in China, where portrait rights are legally protected and influencer culture is pervasive at cultural venues.