As part of the University of Gothenburg, a government agency, HDK-Valand is governed, among other things, by the principle of objectivity (Chapter 1, Section 9 of the Instrument of Government), which stipulates that public authorities “shall observe equality before the law and maintain objectivity and impartiality.” In connection with the exhibition at Galleri Tripp (21 February–10 March 2025), organised by HDK-Valand Students for Palestine, HDK-Valand was reported to the Parliamentary Ombudsman for alleged lack of objectivity and impartiality.
On 3 March 2026, JO issued its decision. JO concludes that HDK-Valand did not subjectively breach the principle of objectivity, that is, it did not act in a partial or improper manner. However, JO finds that there was a risk that external parties could have perceived the situation differently.
According to JO, it was not sufficiently clear within the exhibition space/gallery that HDK-Valand, as a public authority, did not endorse the exhibition or its message. The decision highlights several circumstances that made the need for clear communication particularly important in order to clarify HDK-Valand’s position:
- the unconventional exhibition space (located in a stairwell across several floors)
- the exhibition reaching audiences beyond those aware that the stairwell functioned as a gallery (including through social media)
- the placement of a petition signed by staff members and its relation to the exhibition’s content
HDK-Valand welcomes JO’s clarifying decision regarding the matters raised in the complaint and examined during JO’s subsequent review. The decision also briefly addresses issues concerning the right to make premises available to the student union for gallery activities, as well as the freedom of expression of public authority employees.
The full decision is available on the website of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.
Ongoing work to clarify procedures and responsibilities
Since the beginning of the autumn semester 2025, HDK-Valand has been working together with the Gallery Group (students appointed by the student union, Konstkåren), which is responsible for the exhibition space, to clarify the Gallery Group’s responsibility for the spaces and the exhibiting student’s/students’ responsibility for the content of exhibitions.
This work continues under the leadership of Kjell Caminha, Lecturer in Fine Art, who has been appointed coordinator for a handbook and support materials concerning student exhibitions and art in public spaces.
Previous news at the Student portal: