The Palais de Tokyo in Paris has removed an artwork by American artist Cameron Rowland from its facade after determining that the piece, which involved replacing the French flag with the flag of Martinique, could be considered illegal under French law. The contemporary art museum made this decision regarding "Replacement (2025)," a work that comments on the colonization of Martinique, an overseas region of France in the Caribbean.

Rowland's controversial piece was part of the exhibition "ECHO DELAY REVERB: American Art, Francophone Thought," which opened at the Palais de Tokyo on Wednesday, October 22. According to a spokesperson for the museum, they had planned to include the work in the exhibition since the spring, but circumstances changed when they received an official memorandum on September 18.

The memorandum came from the office of the French Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior and specifically addressed the public display of flags. It reiterated the principle of neutrality established by the Conseil d'État, France's highest administrative court, which prohibits the display on public buildings of symbols representing the advocacy of political, religious, or philosophical opinions. This notification arrived as the French government was actively cracking down on displays of Palestinian flags that had been flown at town halls in response to President Emmanuel Macron's recognition of Palestinian statehood.

After consulting with Rowland and their gallery, the Palais de Tokyo allowed the flag to hang during the exhibition's opening day only. Subsequently, they moved the accompanying text inside the museum with a note explaining that the flag had been excluded due to potential violations of French law. "Following this note and in consideration of the principle of public service neutrality, the Palais de Tokyo sought several legal opinions regarding the presentation of the artwork," the spokesperson explained. "These opinions indicated that the artist's original display would contravene the principle of neutrality in public service."

Rowland's New York-based gallery, Maxwell Graham, first announced the decision to exclude the piece on Instagram, posting images of updated labels inside the museum. The gallery has not yet responded to inquiries about the situation. The updated museum labels, as shown in photographs shared by the gallery, documented the removal and provided explanation for visitors.

Martinique, located southeast of Puerto Rico, has been a territory of France since it was colonized in 1635. The island holds significant historical importance as the birthplace of Frantz Fanon, the widely influential psychiatrist and anti-colonial theorist. In 2024, France sent an anti-riot police force accused of excessive force to the island to quell protests against racial and social inequalities, highlighting ongoing tensions between the territory and mainland France.

The text accompanying Rowland's "Replacement" piece explicitly addresses the colonial history and ongoing liberation struggles in Martinique. A plaque that was part of the installation stated: "Black Martinicans have pursued the end of French rule for 390 years. As early as 1665, black rebels in Martinique wore red, black, and green as a rallying sign." This historical context directly connects to the contemporary political significance of the artwork.

Rowland is a highly regarded artist who received the prestigious MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship in 2019, which includes a no-strings-attached $800,000 grant given to artists based on creative merit. The artist's work typically examines issues of colonialism, institutional power, and historical injustices, making this piece consistent with their broader artistic practice and social commentary.